Paul Alexander Shadura II

Born on December 5th, 1954 in Seattle, Washington. Paul graduated from Seattle Central Community College in 1973. He spent much of his youth on his father's homestead off of Kalifornsky Beach Road alongside his Uncle Issac Shadura, who taught him the art of Cook Inlet set netting. This early exposure led Paul to become a permit holder in 1969 and start the fishing operation PAS We Net The Best, marking the beginning of his lifelong passion and career. He soon met his wife, Virginia, in 1979 while in California and talked her into moving up to Alaska to become a fisherman’s wife, continue the family legacy in the Kenai area, and assist in building a successful fishing enterprise.

In later years, Paul took an active role in supporting the development of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, in which he was a tribal member and served on Constitution, Environmental Protection and Land Committees.

He was a seasoned multi-generational commercial fisherman whose career spanned a lifetime catch of salmon, halibut, and herring in addition to both tendering and buying fish. He was deeply involved in local fisheries management issues and held several elected positions with organizations including; United Fisherman of Alaska, Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association, Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council, Kenai/Soldotna Fish & Game Advisory Committee, Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association, Kenai Peninsula Borough Economic Development District Board, and the South K-Beach Independent Fishermen. He was well known for his active and passionate engagement in public discussion and regulatory processes, providing countless years of public testimony to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, and always emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices for salmon fisheries statewide. His deep love for all things Alaska shined through in this work, whether he was gillnetting salmon or authoring proposals to sustain them, he fought hard for what he believed was right, and will be immensely missed for those efforts.

Paul is survived by his children, Christina Shadura of Alaska and Paul Shadura III of Florida and his family including daughter in law Betty and grandchildren Brian, Cole, Savanna and Pauly IV. He is also survived by three sisters and their respective families: Natalia Potebnya, Tamara O’Neal and Leda Barnes, all of Washington. He is preceded by his wife of nearly 45 years, Virginia Shadura, who recently passed in January.

On July 9th a Russian Orthodox Panikhida service was held at Peninsula Memorial Chapel. A Celebration of Life will take place in the future. Remembrances can be sent to Christina & Paul at P.O. Box 1632 Kenai, Alaska 99611.