Paul Gordon Pritchard

PRITCHARD, Paul Gordon “Paulie” – It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Paul Gordon Pritchard at the age of 27. He passed away peacefully at the Sault Area Hospitals with his family by his side. Our beloved Paul will live on in the hearts of his parents, Ben and Marla Pritchard, and sisters Jennifer and Karen Pritchard. He has blessed the lives of his grandparents baba Mary Pritchard and the late Harvey Pritchard of Richards Landing, and the late Gordon and Corinne Mallion of Tottenham, Ontario. Paul will be forever remembered by his aunts and uncles, Rhondda Smith (Alex), Dalyce Mallion (Norman Wiechert), Nadine Mallion (Henri Van Bemmel), Robert Pritchard (Phyllis), Gerry Pritchard (Donna Carol), Michael Pritchard (Monika), Murray Pritchard, Eric Pritchard (Debbie) and Janet Pritchard (Bill Cardiff). Paul will be sadly missed by many cousins, special friend Brandon Beauchamp, his baba Jan Woolley, Michael Yanni and his Westminster Church family. Our cherished Paul lived a full life filled with smiles and laughter. He was an avid Blue Jays fan, loyal Greyhounds fan, proud graduate of Tarentorus Public School and Bawating Community Education. He continued to show his positive spirit by presenting the Paul Pritchard Award for Attitude to graduates of Tarentorus Public School. Paul always took pride in doing good work and was the recipient of many awards over his lifetime, including the provincial “Yes I Can” award. Paul always fondly remembered his school work placements at the Sault Area Hospitals and the Water Tower Inn. We would like to say a special thank you to the Sault Area Hospital ICU nurses and the Renal team for their exceptional care of our angel. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Paul to the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre Algoma, Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, Sault Area Hospital Renal Dialysis Care Fund or the charity of your choice. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Thursday, September 2, 2010 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Funeral service to be held on Friday, September 3, 2010 at Westminster Presbyterian Church (134 Brock St.) at 1:00 pm. Rev. John Wilson officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Paul’s sense of humour and smile brought joy to all who knew him, and he will continue to smile down from heaven on those he loved.

Thinking of Paul

Paul Gordon Pritchard was a wonderful son and brother who over his lifetime embodied the love of God.

Paul had an avid interest in sports, especially baseball. He never forgot “coach” Glen Wasyliniuk who invited Paul to be the official score keeper with his dad on his first baseball team. Paul participated with that team for many years and often asked about “coach”. A special thank you to coach Glen for introducing Paul to baseball. Paul continued to express his love for the game through 12 years of baseball with his team “Think All People Shine”, TAPS. Thank you to all of his teammates for their friendship over the past 12 years and for being here to show your support.

Paul loved hockey and played in the TNHL, Tuesday Night Hockey League; a power wheelchair hockey team organized by Lynn July where he played with his special friend Brandon Beauchamp. Paul looked forward to the games and meeting several of the Soo Greyhound Hockey team members who came to play as well. Paul annually attended the Bon Soo Skate with the Hounds and loved skating fast around the rink being pushed by the Hounds! Paul attended ALL the greyhound games and sat in the best seats, cheered on his greyhounds and offered advice when necessary. Paul started each game “ready to rumble” and gave dad three elbows to show he meant business!

Paul took great delight in watching his favourite shows: Mr. Bean, Batman, Seinfeld (the funny show), Bear in the Big Blue House, Blues Clues, Home Alone, Free Willy and anything Disney. From outside the house, you could often hear him actively participating in the shows. Paul enjoyed singing loudly to his favourite CDs when driving in his van, singing Allelulia and Amen at church and karaoke – Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline was the best.

Paul was an animal lover. He shared a special bond with his doggy Sammi and always asked dad for another “D-O-G” – usual response “N-O-D-O-G”. Paulie and his kitties, Muffy and Pooky, loved to snuggle on his bed at night. Paul faithfully fed the birds at camp and enjoyed bird watching, especially for Blue Jays and Hummingbirds. Paul also shared a special interest in squirrels with Clifford.

Paul was a graduate of Tarentorus Public School and Bawating Community Education where he met fantastic friends and teachers. Paul took a great deal of pride in doing good work at school and in his work placements at the Board of Education Plant department, the Water Tower Inn and the Sault Area Hospitals. He especially enjoyed working with such good people, remembered them fondly and was always pleased to see them again. Tarentorus continues to award the Paul Pritchard Award for Attitude, an award given annually to a Tarentorus student who displays a positive attitude towards school and learning, a caring attitude towards others, and a determined attitude to do your best in facing life’s challenges.

Paul had special memories of Camp Wakonda and TASK day camp.

Paul had many special people in his life. He always looked forward to his Tuesdays with Michael and Thursdays with Baba Woolley. He shared a special bond over hockey with many of his uncles. He enjoyed baking and making cookies for his sisters and baking Butter Tarts with his sisters, finding Waldo with his Auntie Rhondda and competing with Papa Pritchard for smarties and peanuts.

Paul had an exceptional memory, recalling happy occasions and funny details. Paul’s stories all began with this: “Remember me and you?” Several years ago Mom and Paul started a journal by the same title, “Remember Me and You”, in which the hilarious escapades of him, his family and friends are recorded including: Grandma Mallion falling off the deck at camp; the incident with the mustard, the binoculars and the home run; and the flying lighted pen, to mention a few.

Paul was a great collector: pins on his Cub Scout Blanket; baseball hats; hockey pucks; animated toys; action figures, Power Rangers, Batman, Ninja Turtles; and Waldo books.

Meal time was always a special family time filled with lots of laughter. Paul was especially happy when the meal included pasta and Baba Pritchard’s pickled beans.

After his sisters moved away for school Paul became enamoured with the phone to keep in touch. He loved talking on the phone, running fingers along the cord and asking what you were doing. Invariably when his sisters asked him what he was doing, they were met with this response: “talking to you, goofy!” Paul made his own calendars to count down the days until his family was together again. When home, the three kids could be found snuggling all together in Paul’s bed.

Paul enjoyed pushing the cart while grocery shopping with Mom and Dad and going to the mall to “walk round”. He was constantly meeting people who would remember him from years before.

Paul had a wonderful sense of humour, a great smile, an expressive face and a contagious laugh. He gave the greatest hugs.

Paul loved all his family so much and enjoyed spending time with them, sharing the fun and good times, making happy memories. Paul’s favourite place was “Nowhere”, his camp, where he drove the boat and loved going faster… especially in circles. He enjoyed all the family gatherings over the years, the Pritchard parties, the Mallion clan, the water fights, fireworks, campfires and marshmallows. Good Family Fun. Paul loved to party with music, dancing, lots of laughs and snacks.

Paul was a wonderful son. He was an adoring brother and had a deep, loving relationship with his sisters, Jenny and Karen. Paul made the world a better place, bringing joy to those around him. Our lives are blessed and richer for having shared in Paul’s life.

Paul’s family would like to extend to you their deepest thanks for attending this memorial service today and sharing this time with us. All of us know that at the end of our time on earth, there is one friend in heaven who will speak well of you – Paul Gordon Pritchard.

And now to Paul:

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you;

And give you His peace.