31st December 2019
We have learnt from Paul’s wife that he passed away yesterday, the 31st December. Paul was a stalwart supporter of both our regional rambles and HRA’s rambles and tried to come on all of them if he could. He was taken ill suddenly earlier in December but unfortunately did not recover. He will be greatly missed by both groups.
The Thanksgiving Service for Paul on the 24th January was very moving and a wonderful opportunity to have an insight on what an interesting and worthwhile life Paul lead. We learnt that as a young man he went to University, obtaining a degree in his chosen subject which lead to a career in aeronautical engineering. He was instrumental in designing filters for helicopters, which are still in use to this day. He had a very successful career in aeronautical engineering and rose up to a high position in his company. In his spare time Paul had a close family, 2 lovely daughters and a stepson. He loved cycling as a younger man and when he married Patricia in 1991 he took up her much loved pastime of fell walking and climbing, which took them all over Britain and abroad. They also performed in amateur operatics, Paul being a base baritone and Patricia was a soprano, they travelled extensively with their operatic company throughout Europe and made many friends during that time. In 2007 they had just completed a 3 week long walk in NZ when Paul suffered his spinal stroke. He fought very hard to get better but his mobility was badly impaired, which was when he acquired a scooter, donated to him by his friends in his company to give him independence. Then, he heard about Disabled Ramblers and was a constant attendee on nearly all of our rambles, you could always rely on Paul to come along if at all possible. He was a keen connoisseur of food too, and loved the Christmas lunches and enjoyed his favourite glass of red wine with his meal. You never heard him complain, and he went to exercise classes and the gym several times a week in order to help himself as much as possible, and took his beloved golden retriever, Harvey, for a walk everyday. He enjoyed a stint as President of his local Probus club and was involved in local community and Council matters along with his wife, Patricia. He and Patricia also made lots of jams, of all flavours, which he brought along to rambles – the proceeds went to Stoke Mandeville Hospital where Paul was treated for 8 months after his spinal stroke. The Thanksgiving Service was a fine tribute to Paul, and he will be sadly missed on our rambles. We all raised a glass of red wine as a toast to Paul, our best wishes to Patricia and his family, he was highly thought of by us all.