Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
Paul Nicholas McElrea
Paul Nicholas McElrea
Obituaries
By News Staff, on July 15, 2021
Paul Nicholas McElrea

Paul Nicholas McElrea was born on February 4, 1969 in Christchurch, New Zealand. He was the eldest of three sons of Richard and Rosemary McElrea. Tragically he was found deceased on July 7, 2021, at age 52, near his home in Ridgway, Colorado as the result of a motorcycle accident.

As a youth, Paul’s family spent winter holidays in Queenstown, New Zealand where he learned to ski from a young age at nearby Coronet Peak. His passion for the sport was enhanced as a member of Craigieburn Valley Ski Club. He also enjoyed surfing at the local beaches with his high school friends and took up windsurfing at the estuary and harbor near Christchurch. He spent many summer weeks with good friends at Lake Aviemore, New Zealand.

At age 19 Paul set off for foreign shores. Over the following two decades, Paul spent numerous backto-back ski seasons traveling from Southern to Northern Hemispheres working in the ski industry and as a professional Ski Patroller at Mt. Hutt (New Zealand), Courchevel (France), Loveland, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Telluride (United States).

In the Winter of 2004/2005, while patrolling at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado, Paul met Raleigh Coburn who was working at the Copper Mountain Medical Center. Paul and Raleigh’s shared passion for skiing, adventure and travel brought them together. They married on September 15, 2006, exchanging vows in Yankee Boy Basin, during a snow storm, in the mountains high above their home in Ouray, Colorado. Paul and Raleigh have two amazing children, born at home in Ouray; James, now aged 12 and Scarlett, now aged 9.

They built their dream home, surrounded by mountains, near dear friends and family, in Ridgway, Colorado in 2019. Paul’s sense of design and his great attention to details are reflected in every aspect of their home.

Paul and Raleigh created a life that revolved around family, entertaining and spending time with friends, projects big and small and their shared passion for skiing, adventure and recreation. Family skiing was a central part of their lives. Paul taught both James and Scarlett how to ski at Copper Mountain; James starting at age 18 months and Scarlett starting at age 20 months.

Paul transitioned from seasonal work in the ski and building industries to full time work in local construction that ranged from carpentry to home renovations and remodels to his most recent career as an electrician.

He was accomplished and skilled at whatever job, task, hobby or sport to which he set his mind and yet very humble. His recent passions included working on his KTM dirt bikes and a vintage Moto Guzzi motorcycle that he completely rebuilt. He loved to ride with friends on the spectacular roads and trails in the mountains and deserts near his home.

Paul loved the life he created in Colorado with his family and often commented how lucky he felt. Although he made his home in the mountains, Paul still loved the water and would surf at any opportunity. He shared that enthusiasm with James and Scarlett on his most recent family trip to a favorite spot in Costa Rica.

He was a kind, generous and thoughtful husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend. He was capable, organized, detail oriented, particular, playful, honest, a mentor, a true friend and the consummate host.

Paul will be deeply missed by his wife, Raleigh Coburn; son, James; and daughter, Scarlett.

His parents, Richard and Rosemary (Christchurch, New Zealand); brothers, Edward (Wellington, New Zealand) and Jeremy (Darien, Connecticut) and sisters-in-law Petra and Lauren deeply grieve the loss of their dearly loved Paul.

Paul was a much loved son-in-law of Linda Coburn Kornitzer and her husband Bill Kornitzer (Kansas City, MO); brother-in-law of Jared Coburn and Agnieszka Przeszlowska (Ridgway, CO).

He was a very special uncle of Cameron, Cara, Alana (Darien), Aiden, Alexander, Max (Wellington), and Julia and Michael (Ridgway).

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Paul may be made to the George Gardner Scholarship Fund to support Ouray County youth (georgefund.org) or to the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team (www.ouraymountainrescue.com/donate).

A Memorial Service, open to the community, will be held this Sunday, July 18, 2021 at 4:30 PM at Top of the Pines, 1035 Highland Dr, Ridgway, CO 81432. Please carpool and bring your own blanket or chair.

Get into the groove
Main, News...
Get into the groove
July 2, 2025
Carrie Ann Mund, left, dances with Tawnya Schiebel during the Mariachi de San Jose band’s performance in Ridgway’s Hartwell Park on June 29. The band performed as part of the fifth annual Fete de la M...
this is a test
Main, News...
Leaders object to public lands sale
Conservationists, ranchers, elected officials decry bill, though battle over federal property may return
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2025
Recent federal proposals to sell or develop Ouray County’s public lands would harm the county’s economy, identity and culture of ranching and public recreation, according to county officials and other...
this is a test
Main, News...
Sex assault trial moved to Montrose
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2025
A judge has ordered the trial of a man accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 2023 to be moved from Ouray to Montrose. Seventh Judicial Chief District Judge Cory Jackson approved the tri...
this is a test
Celebrating the Fourth in Ouray? Load up on sunscreen, patience, courtesy
Feature
Celebrating the Fourth in Ouray? Load up on sunscreen, patience, courtesy
Private security to help with traffic, parking, so law enforcement can be more proactive
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2025
The sights and sounds of the Fourth of July in Ouray are ubiquitous. The powerful spray of fire hoses. The shrieks of kids racing through Fellin Park. Cheers and honking horns on Main Street. This yea...
this is a test
News
New weapons policy would ban public, allow employees to conceal carry
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2025
County leaders are debating a new policy that would ban the public from carrying any weapons within Ouray County buildings but allow county employees with valid permits to conceal carry weapons in mos...
this is a test
News
County to debate Yankee Boy Basin restrictions
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2025
Ouray County officials will hold a work session to consider a resident's request to partially restrict motorized access in Yankee Boy Basin, which cited safety and environmental concerns. Resident Jen...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Meet your neighbor: Robert Stoufer
Feature
Meet your neighbor: Robert Stoufer
By By Chloe Kiparsky Plaindealer intern 
July 2, 2025
Name: Robert Stoufer Age: 73 Lives in: Ouray When did you come to Ouray? I studied to be a geologist, but I never did geology for a living. I went to college in Mississippi, and did grad school in Kan...
this is a test
News
Fire bans imposed throughout region
By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2025
Several governments in the region adopted stage 1 fire restrictions this week, making it illegal to use personal fireworks, have any sort of open burning or lighting campfires outside permanent fire p...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Sign money could have been better spent
July 2, 2025
Dear Editor: We were out camping last weekend and received a call from a tenant in our Main Street commercial building. She was upset about the new sign that went up in front of our building. It block...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
Cuts harm forecasts
July 2, 2025
Dear Editor: I write in support of Karen Risch's column last week about staffing at the National Weather Service office in Grand Junction. Federal budget cuts have inhibited efforts to restaff the off...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
Congrats, Swiss Village
July 2, 2025
Dear Editor: Congratulations to the residents for your success at preserving Swiss Village Mobile Home Park! Your perseverance paid off. Thank you to Jay and Jackie, civic-minded people all along, who...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy