Paul Joseph Badali

Paul Joseph Badali, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, employer, and friend departed the Grey Havens for the Undying Lands on December 1, 2024. Paul bravely battled a rare blood cancer and subsequent complications with a stem cell transplant. He was guided through his transition by his loving wife (Melody) and child (Kaden) the morning of the 1st at Huntsman Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

 Born April 29, 1951, in New Haven, Connecticut, Paul was the oldest of three children born to Joseph A. and Emma Welter Badali. Paul grew up in Branford, nestled between the forest and the ocean, which instilled a love of nature and creativity. He married the love of his life, Melody Black, in 1974. Paul passed on his passion for nature and literature to his four children, Loria, Alaina, Janelle and Kaden. Whether it was scuba diving, camping, gemstone hunting, gold mining, metal detecting, bird watching, science, or religious discussion, Paul was always on the hunt for his next adventure and welcomed anyone who wanted to join. 

 Paul was an earth science and biology high school teacher for 10 years, but his passion for working with metals and natural gemstones altered his career and led Paul to found Badali Jewelry. His lifelong love of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings shaped his business in the early 2000s. He obtained licensing to create jewelry from the Tolkien books, which he crafted for nearly two decades. Each of his four children spent time working side-by-side with their dad, spending innumerable hours learning and building the business together. That hard work is now precious to them, as it has shaped their work ethic and lives. 

 During his time as president of the company, Badali Jewelry obtained licensing from numerous science fiction and fantasy authors. Paul was honored and grateful to work with so many literary giants via Badali Jewelry. One of Paul’s greatest honors was to be included as a character in Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive. Thanks to Brandon, the memory of Paul’s smile will live on forever. 

 Paul’s life was filled with adventure, family, friends, and laughter. Paul is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Boyd Adam Badali. Paul is survived by his wife Melody, his children Loria, Alaina, Janelle, and Kaden, his 5 grandchildren, and his sister Debra Badali Wickizer.

 Paul will be remembered for his kind heart, infectious smile, and his passion for life. His passing leaves a void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.