“Tell your friend that in his death, a part of you dies and goes with him. Wherever he goes, you also go. He will not be alone. “
-Jiddu Krishnamurti
Paul “Pook” Sweeney passed peacefully in Tampa, Florida on March 18, 2018 at the age of 43. Paul was born in Geneva, New York on April 12, 1974. He graduated from Cypress Lake High School and continued on to receive a Bachelor of Science Finance degree from Florida State University.
Paul was pre-deceased by Nancy Kerr Sweeney – mother. Paul was survived by Holly Sinclair Sweeney – wife (Tampa, Florida), J. Paul Sweeney Sr. – father (Fort Myers, Florida), Bridget Quinn Sweeney – sister (Lafayette, Colorado), Eleanor Quinn Hopkins – niece (Lafayette, Colorado), Lola Grace Hopkins – niece (Lafayette, Colorado), Thomas H. Sweeney – uncle (Dallas, Texas), Mary Q. Sweeney Salotti – aunt (Geneva, New York), Kate Q. Salotti – cousin, Christopher P. Salotti – cousin, Thomas H. Salotti – cousin, Janet Salotti Page – cousin, Stephen A. Salotti- cousin, David E.T. Salotti – cousin, and Samantha Ann Sweeney – cousin.
Paul’s wife, family and friends were his heart and joy. Paul was an absolutely amazing husband. He was Holly’s soulmate, her best friend, her everything. He always made her feel safe, made her laugh, and held her when she needed comfort. He was always there to help navigate through life’s challenges and always put her needs before his own. Most importantly he made her feel loved. They complimented each other perfectly.
Pook was also a devoted family man. He was a loving son and brother. Family was always his first priority. Pook loved his mother and father immensely. He would turn to his mother for advice and his father was the champion of his dreams. Pook and his sister, Bridget, shared a special bond that only comes from being close siblings and even closer best friends. He was always there for them and respected and loved them deeply.
To his friends, Sweeney was the master of the microphone, leader of poor decisions, and the cultivator of laughter, friend to all. He lived his life to be the funny man in every situation. Sweeney was THE STORY. He was the story that makes you laugh when you are alone in the car. He was the story that you can retell over and over again and it never gets old. He was the story that you tell your kids (the cleaned up version) that leaves them craving for more “Sweeney Stories”. Sweeny’s gift was making every person feel like a dear friend. He was never at a loss for words and created an experience in every setting he was in. An experience that would leave you with “one liners” and unforgettable memories. There were three main contributing factors to every Sweeney Story: one or two terrible ideas, exceptionally poor decision making skills, and an injury, usually inflicted upon Sweeney by himself or others. These three components, wrapped up with his amazing group of friends that promoted such behavior, produced all of the Sweeney Stories that all of us so much relish and will miss terribly. There wasn’t a soul that didn’t love Sweeney (except for the 1995 FSU business fraternity).
While he leaves us far too early, he left us with several lifetimes of memories. His voice, his smile, his facial expressions, and his contagious laugh lit up a room when he walked into it. He had a heart of gold and a wit like no other. No wonder everyone loved him. He lived for the roast. He lived for his wife, his family, his friends, and he lived to create laughter wherever he was. Let’s preserve his memory by retelling Sweeney Stories to whomever will listen. He was a wonderful man that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. He will forever be printed in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The American Heart Association.
