Paul Anthony Selecky

Paul Anthony Selecky, MD, of Huntington Beach, California, passed away on March 20, 2022.

He was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania on November 1, 1938 to Paul R. Selecky and Helen M. Jurchak Selecky. He was the second eldest of seven children. He attended undergraduate and medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, earning his medical degree in 1964. He completed his internship at the U.S. Naval Hospital in St. Albans, NY in 1965, and continued his naval duties in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii until 1968. Dr. Selecky completed his Internal Medicine residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in 1972 and his Pulmonary Medicine fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in 1973. He continued his career at Harbor-UCLA until January 1980 when he joined the Medical Staff at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach.

During his thirty-six years at Hoag, Dr. Selecky served as Medical Director of Pulmonary Medicine, Medical Director of the Sleep Center, and Medical Director of Continuing Medical Education. He also served as Chair of the Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Chair of the Critical Care Committee, Chair of the Healthcare Ethics Committee, and Chair of the Infection Prevention Committee. Dr. Selecky was an active volunteer for many professional organizations, including the American Sleep Disorders Association, the American Association of Respiratory Care, the American Lung Association, and the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care. He was the leader of the development of the Palliative Care program at Hoag. He was a founding member of the California Sleep Society and started the annual Hoag Sleep Conference in 2000. In 1993, he received the Pottenger Award from the American Lung Association of California for his outstanding volunteer service in the prevention and control of lung diseases, and he received the ALA’s Volunteer Leadership Award in 1997. Dr. Selecky was also named Orange Coast College’s Outstanding Citizen of 2006-2007. He was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians, and a Fellow of the American Association of Respiratory Care. He was a clinical professor of medicine at the UCLA School of Medicine and served as Medical Director of the Respiratory Care and Polysomnography allied health programs at Orange Coast College. Throughout his career, Dr. Selecky authored many articles in medical journals, including his book entitled Pulmonary Disease, published in 1982. He retired from practice in 2016 and became a member of the Honorary medical staff of Hoag.

In his personal life, Paul grew up in the small town of Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania, part of a large family as the son of Judge Paul R. Selecky. His father passed away when Paul was 21, leaving his mother Helen with seven children, the youngest being two years old. She soon went to work to support the family, was even voted into public office, but all the while raised her children, teaching them the importance of community, faith and perseverance. Paul has been known to quote President Abraham Lincoln in regard to his mom: "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” Paul met his future wife, Andrea Novak, while they were in high school – he as the editor of the high school paper and she a budding writer. They married in 1962, while Paul was in medical school and Andrea as a newly registered nurse. They started their own family soon thereafter with five children, born between the years 1963 to 1972. When not at work, Paul invested his time with family. Even with his full professional schedule, “Dad” made it home for dinner with his wife and children almost every night, even returning to work after the meal if necessary. He taught his children the importance of family and knowing your roots, faith in God, community participation, volunteerism, leadership and “making a difference.” His involvement continued with his grandchildren, attending numerous sporting events, musical shows, graduations and more.

A faith-filled man, Paul was always very involved with his church, whether as part of the liturgy, or volunteering his time in ministry. Through the Dioceses of Los Angeles and Orange, he and Andrea taught Christian Family Life education to children and their parents for over 35 years. He was always available to help others, whether it was supporting friends as they faced medical challenges or welcoming a new person to our dinner table. He led us all by example, and we are truly blessed to have had such a humble and admirable leader.

Paul is survived by his wife of 60 years, Andrea Novak Selecky, five children, Susan Armstrong, Paul G. Selecky, Mark Selecky, David Selecky and Christopher Selecky, 20 grandchildren, a great grandson, and five siblings, Juliana Semple, John Selecky, Mary Selecky, Heidi Jarecki and Peter Selecky. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Tom Selecky.

His life will be celebrated at a Mass on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 12:00 pm at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Huntington Beach. The church is located at 16410 Springdale Street. Prior to that on Friday, April 8, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, the Viewing with Rosary will be at Heritage-Dilday Mortuary at 17911 Beach Boulevard, Huntington Beach. His burial will take place on Monday, April 11, 2022 at 11:00 am at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Huntington Beach. The cemetery is located at 8301 Talbert Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to either https://giving.hoag.org/donate_online (in the “Designation” box, please select Other, then type in “Palliative Care”) or the Parkinson’s Programs at Memorial Care Orange Coast Medical Center at https://www.memorialcare.org/ways-give/orange-coast-medical-center-foundation/give-now-orange-coast-medical-center-foundation

The funeral Mass will be available to view via livestream at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWZDwPp-zHM