His soccer uniforms clothed refs, Will Ferrell in 2005 film
Paul M. Tobin: 1941-2007
From the shirt off Will Ferrell’s back in “Kicking & Screaming” to the jerseys worn by referees policing David Beckham’s debut with the Los Angeles Galaxy — Paul M. Tobin knew referee uniforms.
When Mr. Tobin, a Waukegan native, was asked in 1981 to be president of Shez, a soccer referee uniform business, he was more than happy to accept.
“It was an intriguing opportunity for my father because everyone kept talking about the growth of soccer in our country,” said Julie Gerard.
After the company folded in 1985, he decided to start Official Sports International with his wife of 43 years, Mary Lou, to continue outfitting referees of major soccer leagues in the United States.
Official Sports now outfits amateur and professional soccer referees around the country and abroad, and its products were used as costumes in Ferrell’s 2005 comedy about youth soccer.
Mr. Tobin died Sunday at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis from complications of pneumonia. He was 65. Making referee uniforms was a career change for Mr. Tobin. He had worked for 34 years at Johnson & Johnson, holding numerous posts in Chicago, New Jersey and Indiana.
Despite the demands of his work, he always made time for life outside the office.
“Family was everything to him,” his daughter said.
Mr. Tobin was described by many as quick-witted with a dry sense of humor.
“My dad was unassuming,” Gerard said. “He would be quiet with his jokes and … then give a one-line zinger to bring it all home.”
Born in 1941 in Waukegan, Mr. Tobin received his undergraduate degree in economics from Marquette University. He went to work for Johnson & Johnson in 1965 and retired to get into the uniform business. Official Sports now supplies soccer referee uniforms for youth to professional levels.
“He was a very successful individual by any measure,” said friend Alan Griffith.
Mr. Tobin also is survived by his wife; another daughter, Lynn Mullaney; son Paul G. Tobin; brothers, Edward, Gerald, Phil and Raymond; and nine grandchildren.
A visitation will be held today from 3 to 9 p.m. at Salerno’s Galewood Chapels, 1857 N. Harlem Ave. Visitation will continue at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Holy Name Cathedral, Superior and State, followed by a mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
This article originally appeared in Chicago Sun-Times.
