Paul Robert Borghesani

October 20, 1968 - October 1, 2025

Kelseyville lost a native son and hometown fixture when Paul Robert Borghesani passed away peacefully at his home on October 1, 2025.

Born in Lakeport, California on October 20, 1968, Paul soon moved with his family, including elder brother, Mark, to nearby Kelseyville, where his father, Robert, owned and operated Kelseyville Lumber. An avid outdoorsman, Robert took Mark and Paul on countless hunting and fishing trips across most of the western states, which undoubtedly led to Paul’s lifelong pursuit of outdoor recreation and nurtured a natural storytelling propensity.

According to Mark, one of his brother’s favorite tales to recount occurred during a Lake County Record-Bee team bass fishing tournament. Paul, who teamed up with his father, ended the first day of the contest in second place, behind his brother Mark and good friend, George Hill. But, on day two, Paul and his dad got the better of his sibling and friend, taking home the coveted winner’s trophy. “If there was a fish around,” said Mark, “Paul knew how to catch it.”

Besides his legendary fishing skills, Paul was also an accomplished athlete, excelling in baseball and basketball and playing both sports for Butte College near Chico, California. After college, Paul played multiple positions, including first baseman and pitcher, for the Lake County Bartletts, a local semi-pro baseball team, and he was active in city league basketball games as well, playing with his brother and favorite coaches, Mark Conrad and Stan Weiper.

Being a Borghesani, it was perhaps inevitable that Paul would work at Kelseyville Lumber, which he did, off and on. But, he also struck out on his own, moving to Sacramento, California, where he earned his real estate broker’s license and started his own real estate business, RAD Realty.

Hometown roots grew deep in Paul though, and the idyllic setting of Kelseyville eventually called him back. Upon his return, he established a new enterprise selling solar panel systems to local residences and commercial businesses. He continued to fish, of course, but also added a new hobby, wildlife photography to his repertoire, and spent untold hours on the family ranch with his dogs, Marly and Justice.

Although he was an accomplished sportsman, athlete, and entrepreneur, Paul would likely agree that being a proud father to his daughter, Madeline, eclipsed his other endeavors. His brother says Paul never tired of talking about Madeline and her successes at school and in sports. “He loved Madeline with all his heart and soul,” said Mark. “He was very proud of her.”

Paul is survived by his brother, Mark; sister, Laura Borghesani; and daughter, Madeline Borghesani.

Graveside Funeral Service will be held at Kelseyville Cemetery, 3375 Bell Hill Road on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM.