Paul R. Metro Jr.

Born in Cranston, he was the beloved son of Kathleen M. (Larsen) Bankowski and her husband Glenn Bankowski, and Paul R. Metro Sr. and his soulmate Jacqueline Hattoy. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Luke Robert Metro.

Paul is survived by his brother, Neil A. Metro; his aunts and uncles, Pauline Bellavance, Donald Larsen, Arnold Larsen, Corinne Vasi, and Peter Metro; as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to attend his funeral service on Saturday, January 17th at 10:00 am in the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Road, Warwick, RI. Visiting hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the RISPCA, 155 Plan Way, Warwick, RI 02886 or https://web.charityengine.net/donateRISPCA

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Eulogy: A Letter to Paul Jr.

Paul …trying to sum you up is like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. You were a handful from very early on; you actually turned it into an artform. We bailed you out of trouble more than a rowboat. You were a relentless whirlwind; We enjoyed the breeze.

I look at your life and I see so many different men. I see a wonderful caring father who lost his son far too early, a man of immense kindness, who lived much of his life with a heart divided between this world and the next, forever longing for his son, Luke.

You were the Chef who understood that food is a language of love; the cook who savored every single bite out of life. I hear the Singer and the Keyboard Player who found a home in the melodies of the Beatles, reminding us all that “In My Life”, there are places and faces we will never forget.

You were a man of contradictions. You were a Reader with a brilliant, intelligent mind, yet you were the world’s best bullshitter—you could argue a point until the sun came down, just for the thrill of the debate. You were an arm wrestler, a card player, and a stock car lover who lived for the adrenaline and the win.

But then there was the side of you that needed the quiet. The Animal Lover with the softest heart; the Beach Bum who found peace in the sand; the Camper who loved the glow of a fire under the stars. The Constant reader.

You weren't meant for a boring, 9-to-5 existence. You switched jobs, you partied hard, and you lived on your own terms. You were handsome, charismatic, and too argumentative for your own good. But that was just your spark. You were vibrantly, unapologetically alive.

Fifty-one years wasn't enough. It will never be enough. But we are so grateful for the noise you made while you were here. We hope wherever you are now, the music is loud, the cards are falling in your favor, and you’ve finally found a beach that never ends.

We all love you. We will miss you, and the light you brought into the room and the memories you have stirred up

Rest easy, Paul. Kiss Luke for us.