Valley business owner, Paul S. Hobaica, died Oct. 4 of complications from a recent fall. He was 93.
Paul was founder and president of Hobaica Services Inc., formerly Hobaica’s Refrigeration Inc., from its inception in 1952 until 1989 when he sold the company to his sons.
Born in Cuba of Lebanese immigrants, Paul moved to Phoenix with his family as a youth. He graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and High School while selling newspapers in downtown Phoenix. At 18 he joined the Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge and at Normandy Beach during World War II.
He went on to earn an Associate of Arts degree from Phoenix College and attended a tech school to learn the refrigeration trade. He opened his own business, Hobaica’s Refrigeration, shortly after graduation and married Elizabeth the same year. Hobaica’s was a one man operation out of his home serving the refrigeration needs of local small businesses.
Consumer demand had him venturing into the air conditioning industry as well, replacing evaporative coolers on many Phoenix homes with new, modern air conditioners. Even though he sold the business to his sons, Paul stayed active in the company until just a few years ago.
Paul and his wife raised seven children in a loving, Catholic home and were active in their youth activities growing up. He always believed in helping whenever he could. Paul was active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society for over 65 years, providing food, shelter and aid to those in need, and was very involved in the homeless committee in his church.
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Funeral Services
Visitation and rosary: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 10
Sharing of memories: 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 10
Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Oct. 11
All gatherings are at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 8620 N. 7 St., Phoenix, AZ (map)
Online obituary and condolences
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