Jean Paul Combettes

Jean Paul Combettes, 96, died Dec. 30, 2007, at Careage of Whidbey in Coupeville. He was born April 12, 1911, in Montpellier, France, a city located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, to restaurant owners Albert and Leontine Combettes. Jean Paul began his chef’s career as an apprentice in 1927 under the supervision of his father, who had already established his reputation in his Royal Hotel.

In 1929, Jean Paul received an invitation to work with Chef Boucaire at the Hotel Meurice in Cannes, on the French Riviera. He left his father’s employ for the first of many positions in leading hotels beginning with the world-renowned Hotel Majestic in Cannes, under the famous Chef Louis Bonfillon for the next two years. He then went to Biarritz, a seaside resort on the west coast of France, and worked at the Hotel d’Angleterre and Casino Bellevue, at the different kitchen stations and for two years at the Chateau de la Caze as a Chef.

Jean Paul served in the French Army from 1933 to 1934 and 1939 to 1940, serving as a sergeant. Following his military service he reopened his father’s restaurant, which had been closed during the German occupation.

In 1945, Jean Paul became Head Chef at the Grand Hotel in Sete, France, and held that position for the next five years. Jean Paul was married to Marie Paule’ Pinsolle in Montpellier, France, on March 2, 1948. Their first daughter, Muriel, was born and the doctors in France diagnosed her with a critical heart condition, but were unwilling to treat her. In 1950, Jean Paul sold everything and brought his family to the United States, taking Muriel to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Muriel remained under their care for the next two years, undergoing two heart surgeries.

While in Cleveland, Jean Paul became Executive Chef at the Zephyr Club for four years. He made several television appearances while at the club and received a Gold Award in the National Culinary Exhibits.

In 1954, Jean Paul moved his family to San Francisco and assumed the position as Assistant Executive Chef at the famous Saint Francis Hotel. He later accepted a position at Dinah’s Palo Alto as managing chef, a position he held for the next 16 years.

In 1970, Jean moved to Tahoe, Nev., and was hired as the Chef at the Sahara House of Lords, one of the restaurants of the famous Sahara Hotel and Casino.

In 1973, after a sojourn in the hospital, Jean Paul requested the management transfer him to the “Stars Villa,” where the work would be less strenuous, but not less prestigious. The top entertainers resided at the Villa during their engagements at the Sahara Casino Hotel Theater. Jean Paul became a friend to many of Hollywood’s most famous stars, including Liberace, Dean Martin, Shirley MacLaine, Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Engelbert Humperdink, Richard and Karen Carpenter, Sammy Davis, Jr. and others.

In 1976, Jean Paul and family moved to Oak Harbor and in 1984, his friends, Joe and Elisa Franssen, hired him as Chef of their new restaurant “The Kasteel Franssen.” Jean Paul remained at Kasteel until his retirement in 1991. Under Jean Paul’s guidance, the restaurant gained a Three Star Rating from the AAA Guide and two first prizes at the Culinary Exhibits. On March 7, 1994, Jean Paul released a hardcover book through Random House titled “A French Chef in America.”

Jean Paul was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church of Oak Harbor and the Knights of Columbus, John E. O’Brien Council 3361 of Oak Harbor.

Jean Paul is survived by three children: Muriel O’Brien of Oak Harbor, Audrey Combettes of Mount Vernon and John Combettes of Napa, Fla., and by three grandchildren.

Rosary for Jean Paul Combettes will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. Saturday, with Rev. Jerry Graham, SJ as Celebrant. Cremation was held with private inurnment to follow at a later date. Memorials may be made to Burley Funeral Chapel. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.