Dear Fran, Andy, Jeff,
I remember the first time I met Paul. I was visiting Andy one summer night after freshman year in college. Figuring I'd come in and say hello to Andy's parents before Andy and I went to play pool (I think) i forget what we did that night, but still remember meeting Paul. He asked me what I was majoring in, most people would just nod and say that's interesting. However Paul continued to question, why was that my major and what I intended to do with this upon graduation, the rest of my life, etc.. I wasn't prepared to answer the questions and it was obvious. Though i felt a little uncomfortable in the moment, I appreciated his candor and he seemed generally interested. Which was endearing, though he may have just been trying to weed out the riffraff who was hanging out with his son : ) Either way 30 years later, I still remember that moment in Andy's kitchen.
Years later I would start to know Paul more personally via the APA Pool League he recruited Andy, myself and our friend Mark into. We played a couple nights a week for a few years. Paul was the ultimate competitor and was very passionate about the game, expecting the best out of everyone at all times. He would never back down from a controversial call on a shot. Even if that meant sometimes face-to-face heated arguments with men much younger and bigger than himself. Though sometimes we all wished he would chill out a bit, there was part of me that always watched in amazement. Though he certainly would have been at the loosing end of any battle, he was fearless. Much more fearless than most. Most people would compromise and move on. Not Paul, he'd fight and fight... and in hind site, that's a admirable quality. He stood up for what he thought was right, and wouldn't compromise.
Though I didn't get to play much golf with Paul, I think perhaps once or twice, I heard he had the same passion on the links. Those who did play with him I'm sure have a story or two or three.
I'm so sorry for your loss, my heart felt condolences. He will be remembered and missed by many.
With Love,
Brant, Jeanne, Ellie and Ben