In 2000, Paulie Safina and his wife Carolyn decided to explore Traverse City as a potential retirement haven during Paulie’s retirement years. “This place seems perfect for our later years,” Paulie remarked during their visit. Confirming their decision required a winter trial, so they stayed at the Fox Haus during a particularly snowy and rainy week. Convinced, they subsequently bought a home and made Michigan their permanent residence.
Over the years, Paulie, now 86, has become an integral part of the Traverse City community, particularly at the Northwest Education Services’ Career Tech Center. For the past 17 years, he has been a fixture there, dedicating his time each week to mentor students in the machine shop. Beyond teaching technical skills, he imparts crucial life lessons, with his “Paulie’s Words of Wisdom” displayed across campus TVs, providing thought-provoking insights for students and staff alike.
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond,” a philosophy Paulie embodies, especially after recent personal trials. Late in 2023, he faced the profound loss of his wife Carolyn just after Thanksgiving, followed by his own diagnosis of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer during a routine check-up for a hernia. Choosing not to undergo treatment, his four children, Michael, Carmela, Angela, and Christopher, have initiated a GoFundMe campaign for the Paul Safina Character and Achievement Scholarship. This initiative aims to assist graduates from the Career Tech Center who face financial hurdles, already nearing half its $20,000 goal.
Despite these health challenges, Paulie continues to actively engage with students, enriching their lives with his accumulated wisdom and experiences. “I wouldn’t say I have a ‘wealth’ of knowledge,” he modestly claims, “but I’m eager to share what I know with these young minds.”
Paulie’s journey into education and machinery began with his naval service from 1955 to 1959, where he first developed a respect for machine operators while aboard aircraft carriers. This respect turned into a passion after inheriting his father-in-law’s machine shop, prompting him to self-learn through books and later, formal courses, even at the age of 70.
His deep involvement at the Career Tech Center started in the mid-2000s, driven by his inherited interest and bolstered by Jason Jeffrey, former Assistant Superintendent for General and Career and Technical Education. Jeffrey facilitated Paulie’s integration into the school’s small engine shop, leveraging his extensive experience with steam engines from his days in Brooklyn, New York.
Even after selling his machine shop in 2019, Paulie remained a vital part of the community. “After spending too much time at home, my wife urged me to find an engaging activity. That’s how I ended up here,” he recounted. His dedication extends beyond machinery; he stresses the importance of lifelong learning to students, sharing not only skills but also life-enhancing wisdom. “The elderly inspire you, entertain you, and teach you more than you realize,” Paulie notes, reflecting on the profound impact of intergenerational interactions.