Southbridge: Paul DongChun Yi, 97, formerly of Kunsan City, South Korea, passed away on Friday, Oct. 11th, in the Life Care Center of Auburn Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family, after a short illness.

His wife, Veronica Yi, passed away in California in 2002.  He leaves his son, John (Chungmin) Yi and his wife Christina Yi of Chunju City, South Korea, and his four daughters, Misa L. Guzman and her husband Deacon Juan Guzman of Southbridge, MA; Teresa Yim and her husband Dosung Yim of Folson, CA; Jena Im and her husband Songbin Im of Chunchun City, South Korea; and Anna Yi and her husband Daniel Yi of Hayward, CA; his six grandchildren, Juan J.L. Guzman, Jr, PhD and wife Cassandra Norgaise of Braintree, Francisco L. Guzman and his wife Laura Arvidson-Guzman, MD, of Natick, Huna Dockery, PhD, and her husband William Dockery of Folson, CA, Albert Im and his wife Colleen of San Diego, CA, Francesca Yi and Clotilda Yi of Hayward, CA; and two great-grandchildren.

He was born in Kunsan, South Korea, the son of the late Myung-Chil Yi. and Sun Yei Kim.  Paul was a South Korean Army Veteran of the Korean War era.  He emigrated to California in 1989 and later to Southbridge, MA.

Paul was a Korean interpreter for the U.S. Air Force at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea for 35 years.  His passion was bringing people to Christ and converting hundreds to the Catholic faith.  Through his efforts, the first Catholic Church was built in his hometown.  He spent most of his life studying and teaching catechism.  His other passions were praying before the Blessed Sacrament, gardening vegetables and flowers, and hiking at the Westville Recreation Area.

His funeral will be held on Friday, Oct. 18th, from the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, with a Mass at 11:00am in Notre Dame Church of the St. John Paul II Parish, 446 Main St., Southbridge.  Burial will follow in St. Hedwig Cemetery, Southbridge.  Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17th, from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. John Paul II Parish, 279 Hamilton St., Southbridge, MA 01550.