Paul Louis Berlinguette

Paul died suddenly at home with his partner by his side. Predeceased by his parents, Len and Helen (Barnett) Berlinguette. Survived by his partner of 29 years, Fiona Wright and her family, his brother, sisters, nieces and nephews: Mike (Joy). Maggie (Jack) - Adam and Shannon Cooper, Kathy - Riley, Sean and Heather Perks, Susan - Spencer and Claire Jones. Paul was born in Ottawa, Ontario but spent most of his life on the West Coast where he became a relentless advocate for nature, a voice for those that did not have one and a storyteller with so much to say; he left us too soon. As a young boy, Paul loved nature and being outdoors. He would often bring home stray cats or a bird with a broken wing. Throughout his life, he had a huge heart for caring and a sweet innocence that everyone adored. A natural athlete, he played baseball into his late teens but his spirit was restless and would not be contained by the demands of a professional career. Paul worked at many jobs: logging, fishing, animal rescue and on the oil rigs before settling on Gardening. He was outdoors and he could talk to people; he would do an outstanding job in the garden and teach his clients and others about plants, birds, bees etc. He did not charge for everything he did and usually it was his clients that insisted he raise his rates. Peter Speck of West Vancouver, a long-time client and friend, felt he was one of the Great Spirit's Angels here on earth. He leaves behind a gaping hole in many seniors’ lives because he was more than just a gardener. He ran errands, did odd jobs, created outdoor Christmas displays and entertained them with stories like only Paul could. His stories were complex with winding paths and unexpected turns; the elements always came together like tiles in a mosaic, leaving those who were listening in awe and just a little bit wiser. He was real and he was an artist. The garden was his canvas and the plants were his palette. Paul started a Coed Slo-Pitch Baseball team in the late 80's where his love for baseball found an outlet and where he met his soul mate Fiona who shared his passion for the great outdoors and his devotion to the natural world. Hollyburn Mountain and the cabin community is where he spent a good part of his spare time. He was President of the Hollyburn Ridge Association for a few years and the mountain was where his advocacy for the environment found a stronger voice. In 1996, he formed a West Vancouver Streamkeeper group to protect all the watersheds of West Vancouver Creeks and Cypress Provincial Park where they originate. Salmon had some protection that could be leveraged for other species. In 2004, he started a Wetland Conservation Group, North Shore Wetland Partners, to speak up for an unrecognized community asset. Sammy the Salmon, the Tailed Frog and the Red Legged Frog were often seen at community events where they taught people about their respective habitats and how they could protect these valuable ecosystems. Paul did not mince words and definitely ruffled a few feathers in his pursuit for equality of all things wild in this "human-centric" world. He shared his words and the words of others, creating a huge network of like-minded individuals; he leaves behind an army of environmental warriors inspired to do just a little bit more to keep his legacy alive. To honor him: Plant a pollinator garden; Commit random acts of kindness; Volunteer with a local conservation group. Donations can be made to Friends of Cypress Provincial Park Society for future trail and restoration projects. RIP Paul xoxo. There will be many private services with no fixed dates.