Ernest Paul Mascarenas

• Ernest (Paul) Mascarenas

May 13, 1959 - November 13, 2024

• “It’s not the length of life, but depth of life.” 
•                             - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
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Paul (Ernie) Mascarenas passed away peacefully on November 13, 2024, at the age of 65, in the loving arms of his partner, Rowell (RC) Madison, after a nine-month battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer that metastasized to his lungs. He is now reunited with his father, Candido Mascarenas; mother, Lucille Mascarenas; mother-in-law, Geraldine Madison; sister-in-law, Rachel Madison; and brother-in-law, Ralph Madison. Paul leaves behind his devoted partner, Rowell Madison; his sisters Irene (Steve) Duran and Sylvia Abeyta; his brothers Arnold (Annette) Mascarenas and Andrew (Christine) Mascarenas; brother-in-law, Raoul (Gayle) Madison; sister-in-law, Ruth Madison; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Born in Bluewater, New Mexico, on May 13, 1959, Paul graduated from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces with an undergraduate degree in 1982. He later earned a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from San Diego State University in 1995. Paul had a deep love for life and cherished many hobbies, including cooking, music, playing guitar, photography, and exploring new technology.

Paul met his life partner, Rowell, on August 26, 1984, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They moved to San Diego, California, in 1986, where they spent the next 40 years together, building a life filled with love and shared passions. Some of their fondest memories include ice skating, attending theater and musicals, camping, swimming, sailing on Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, rollerblading on the beaches of Southern California, taking road trips, dining out, gardening, quilting, and canning jams. They also enjoyed long walks together and cherished their two beloved cats, Chitauqua (Chichi) and Tabatha (Tabby), who accompanied them on many camping trips.

In their professional lives, Paul and Rowell worked together, making significant contributions to the community. They operated a small business for over ten years selling outdoor garden art and accessories. Paul spent the last 19 years as a janitorial franchise sales representative for Jan-Pro of San Diego, where he was recognized as playing a key role in the success of over 150 franchise owners and their families. Outside of work, they gave back to their community by volunteering with homeless and blind communities in San Diego. They also served as conservators for their elderly neighbor who struggled with mental illness.

After 35 happy years together, Paul and Rowell married on New Year’s Eve, 2019, in San Diego. The following year, they moved to New Mexico to honor and care for Paul’s father. Sadly, Paul’s father passed away just two short weeks after him, on Thanksgiving Day 2024.

Rowell will forever cherish their final year together—the joy of completing a framed puzzle, the memories of a day trip across New Mexico’s ten counties, and their unforgettable vacation to Yosemite National Park. “Until our paths meet again, and we can simply sit and listen to the robins sing, ‘I will always love you…’”

Paul’s memory will remain in our hearts forever, as his legacy is not measured by the length of his life but by the depth of it. A celebration of Paul’s life will be held in the Spring of 2025 for family, friends, and neighbors in the beautiful garden he designed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for Rowell.

Donations may be made to The Trevor Project—Saving Young LGBTQ+ Lives, in honor of Paul’s memory.