Paul passed away at RJH after a brief battle with cancer. Writing was his medium of choice and he took enjoyment penning this obituary. Born in Yellowknife and raised in Calgary, Paul was still working on the growing up part with his last breath.
Predeceased by his parents, Walter and Eileen, his brother Bob and a whole lot of friends, Paul leaves to mourn the joy of his life, his family: his four children; Kevin Murray and wife Tracie, Kim Mcleod nee Hansen and husband Danny, Dana Lalonde nee Hansen and husband Clint as well as adopted daughter Arlissa Arts and husband Malcolm Girard-LeBlanc, seven grandchildren; Tiffany Hansen, Jamaina Mcleod, Sara Vanderbasch nee Mcleod, Maggie Lalonde, Quinn Murray, Graeme Lalonde and Nathan Murray, five great grandchildren; Danielle Kelly, Scarlett Vanderbasch, Lochlan Lidgate, Jakobus Vanderbasch and Talon Trace, as well as innumerable friends across the continent; oh, and several ex-wives.
Most of his childhood was spent living in or very near the open country of NE Calgary, which he and his friends wandered with abandon, bows in hand. He contracted most of the childhood diseases, including polio in 1953 which involved a fairly extensive recovery process.
A Little Leaguer as a kid, Paul would go on to play fastball, skydive (34 jumps), mastered skiing (face plant, turn, face plant, turn) and even a bit of tennis and golf, practising the four basic elements: swing, swear, search, repeat. Fish seemed to stop biting whenever Paul was in the boat, so the invitations eventually dried up.
Paul joined the navy the morning of his 17th birthday, spending half of his nine years in submarine service on HMCS Grilse and Rainbow, a stint that became one of his great passions in his later life. He was a volunteer firefighter and ambulance attendant with Langford before his release from the Navy. He drove off-highway logging trucks for a short time after his release before getting on with the Victoria Fire Department where he spent five years, becoming Secretary-Treasurer of IAFF Local 730. He then moved on to the HR/LR business full-time, first with BC Systems Corporation, then a variety of roles and positions on the mainland, including contracts with BC Rehab, Red Cross Blood Services during the transition to Canadian Blood Services and a cherished five-year stint with the manufacturer Teleflex Canada Ltd.
A volunteer throughout his life, Paul served with a wide variety of organizations including, the GV United Way, Victoria YM/YWCA (chair), GV Christmas Bureau (chair), BC Country Music Association, and more recently, the C&CC Gutsy Walk, Tour de Victoria, and Symphony Splash. He spent countless hours with the Submariners Association of Canada executive, for which he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Rather than a poet, Paul maintained he was a biographer for poems who wanted their story told in the old fashioned, plain-talking, storytelling, end of line rhyming style he called Cappuccino Cowboy Poetry. Some of them were written in lyric format and some of those were turned into songs by music friends.
Paul wanted to ensure that his most sincere appreciation was conveyed to the myriad of Doctors, Nurses and Lab Staff whose compassion was always evident. And to the many, many family and friends who shopped for him and took him to appointments and listened patiently as he went on and on. And, to the countless friends who provided such wonderful support throughout his final waltz around the dance floor. When asked for a summary of his life he responded, “I was blessed”.
A virtual Celebration of Life for Paul was broadcast from McCall Gardens on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 12:00 pm. A recording of the service can be found below.
Condolences to the family may be offered to the family below. Those wishing to connect with Kim as mentioned in her eulogy can contact Meghan at McCall Gardens for more information.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
27 Responses
On behalf of John and myself our sincere condolences; and John himself would say: “How very sorry he was to lose a friend and shipmate”. And, thank you Paul, for our great conversations. Go in peace, your pain is gone. Regards, Elsa Ovens
I was devastated at the news of Paul’s passing although Anne and myself were in contact till the last. Paul was a dedicated member of SAOC(w) and promoted our association continually. His usual opening when phoning was “has Anne made any apple pies lately?”..Paul kept me on the straight and narrow when we worked together on assoc projects. I will miss our get togethers and Paul’s (mostly) cheery outlook on life..Two blasts on the klaxon. Final dive Paul
The day before yesterday I tried to call Paul, but found his phone disconnected and I knew. I’m so sorry you’ve passed, Paul, and I send my deepest condolences his family. I know they meant the world to him. Paul and I were good friends when we were in Grade 10 and part of 11, when he joined the navy. Over the years we’ve kept in touch from time to time, mostly by phone and a few lunches and dinners in between. He was and always will be thought of by me as a very unique friend who always surprised me at what he was able to do. His courage in fighting his health batts and losses of family somehow made him stronger. His sense of humour and poetry will always make me smile. And Paul was always a hansom boy and man with a huge heart, a good strong laugh, giving spirit. Thank you Paul for our memories.
Wishing Family and Friends our Deepest Sympathies.
United Way Greater Victoria
Paul was a great shipmate who was full of life and uncompromising in his support of a team.
He never lacked humour, imagination and kindness. He was a major contributor to Canada’s Submarine Service and will be sorely missed.
For Paul: Dolphin 72A.
Sincere condolences to Paul’s family from Keith and Joan Nesbit.
Sad to hear of Paul’s passing. Paul was a real pleasure to be around and work with during our times at BC Transit. He and I shared a fondness and appreciation for the great debate. The great number of enlightening and robust discussions were thoroughly enjoyed by both parties. I miss you already Paul.
See you later…Phil Easton
Paul, you were a great neighbour to have across the hall for the last few years. When our paths crossed we’d always share a few laughs, or rants about our health issues, family, all your exes and our shared love of dog walking. You were always kind, witty, supportive and I will miss your daily sneezes from across the hall that were so loud that I’d jump off my couch! He got me AGAIN!
It was a pleasure meeting your granddaughter and sharing a few memories with her.
Mind your bubble
Sandra in #203