I have sat down and tried to write about Paul many times over the past few months and each time I am unable to find the words to describe his unique personality and my feelings for him.  He was, as previously described, a true original. Life dealt him a terrific blow with the premature death of his brother , his close friend Tom Enns and of course,  the stroke , all in a very short time. That chapter of Paul's life was extremely difficult for him and everyone close to him. There are so many facets to a life and I hope to remember here the goodness of Paul.    
 When I met him in the early 1970's I was new to the big city of Vancouver . He brought me home to his parent's palace in Pt Grey and for the next few years I was a frequent dinner guest . They were such a lively family and I have so many wonderful memories of times spent in that house ...watching the Marx Brothers in the basement , playing ping pong with Paul, basketball in the lane with the girls, motorcycle rides,  listening to Beverly practice classical guitar upstairs and always Paul producing the most amazing piano music . I spent the summer of 1974 at Peter Hope Lake with the Niederauers and once again the memory is accompanied by the sound of Paul's incredible, spontaneous musical talent. Paul loved animals and children. He had an amazing ability to connect with animals. I remember feeding ducks with him one day when he suddenly closed his hand around the bill of the duck he was feeding , scooped the bird into his arms and held it like a baby. His dogs adored him. He was a patient and fun loving father with Kaitlyn. There will never be another Paul.

Paul was a special person who exuded warmth and generosity. I followed Paul's life being in the background at Lord Byng High School. I remember Paul burning his draft card and that was impressive to me. What a guy!

I remember Paul getting a car from his grandparents. A Cadillac I think, and I thought what a lucky guy.

Paul was in New Jersey at the same time as me and he attending a wedding.
He wore a pink shirt and again, what a guy!

Paul was always on the move, free, gentle and kind. Life changed for him
and I felt so sad.

Paul had a gentle spirit, never spoke badly of anyone, and was a careful listener. I had some great times with
Paul though they were few and sporadic over the years, but consistent.

I had the pleasure of knowing his mom, dad, and brother. I did not have the opportunity to know his sisters.
Paul will be sadly missed by me, as I knew him so well.

Cindy Surinder Jhooty

Paul's voice had a quality I wish I could describe , a smooth nasal animated tone  timbre   twang  that went so well with his witty words and easy laugh . Then there was his ride , was it a green VW van that took him and any number from there to here and around ? And the way he played piano  effortlessly , enthusiastically , exuberantly . Old memories , over 40 years and still solid good happy memories .           . Thnx Weez .

I first met Paul when I was about 17 years old, he was the slightly younger brother of John-Claude who at that time was just a casual aquaintance from high school.  Over the next 4 years John and Paul became more like brothers than friends, the memories are too varied and plentiful to tell in words unless I were writing a novel. David and Beverly were more like part time parents for myself and many others who frequented and enjoyed the generous hospitalility of the Neideraur home and of course Peter Hope Lake, the scene of many joyful adventures.  Wease, was probably one of most unique and gifted natural musicians I have ever know, and when he was sidelined from that wonderful gift through disabilities it was heartbreaking, just as Claude's untimely death had been only a few years earlier.  Even after several strokes Paul seem to soldier on, and given how difficult life must have been for him, he seemed to have maintained his unique and quite insightful view of the world as well as his delightfully sly wit and uncanny knowledge of vintage electronics.  My deepest condolences go out to Bev, Ruth and Joan and to all those who loved him.

Paul aka Wease was a true original. As Joan has mentioned, in 1971 he ran away to join the hippie circus 'Mystery Cycle' with myself & a bunch of pals from Lord Byng (he didn't have to run far as we all lived in the neighbourhood). It was the brainchild of Liz Murray & Tom Enns, who dreamed up the idea of getting a grant to form a touring circus. Wease juggled on his unicycle, which was about the most acrobatic feature in our act - which included tumbling, juggling, music and the existential comedy of Tom Enns. Wease had a particularly sharp outfit - pinstriped shirt, vest & knickers - he was always mischievous and full of beans. He was also famous for sleepwalking - having wild episodes in his dreams, shouting & jumping around like one possessed. One night we were billeted in a dorm in Sorrento and he woke everyone up dancing around yelling 'get them off me, get them off me..!' Someone asked if he was alright, and he stared at them and said 'don't mind me, I'm crazy...' with that he jumped back into his sleeping bag and conked out.
Decades later, Paul/Wease was a fan our instrumental R&B band Sharkskin - he knew Booker T's stuff inside out and approved of our versions. He called me one day to tell me about a Hammond A-100 for sale in Longview Washington which he wanted for his collection but couldn't raise the cash. Pauline & I drove down, bought it and I had it refurbished. I've toured with it ever since with Sharkskin, Colin James, Cowboy Junkies and the Boom Booms.
Thanks Wease!
I'll remember your fascination with obscure instruments & radios, your quirky humour, originality and panache.

Grief can be so hard during the holidays, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one this holiday season.

I was so sad for Paul and his family to hear that he had passed away.....  That he was unique is an understatement... he was so much fun to be around and he had a sharp wit that often flew right over my head - at one of my birthday parties with crowds eating, drinking and making a din in the background, he sat at the kitchen table and sketched me a picture of a singing bird (musical notes and all), and labelled it "snappy birdie"....  Snappie birdy?  I asked... He laughed, had a puff on his cigarette and a glug of coffee from his super-size mug, and turned to one of the children who was leaning over his shoulder watching, and asked her what she would like to draw.  A Happy Birthday card, of course!  And then they retreated to draw a blizzard of cards!  I still have that drawing.  
Fast friend of child and adult alike, dogs, our chickens, the bees, you name it, just about everybody and everything... I will never forget him backing up the Questionnaires on piano, and later continuing to play at our jams with his one good hand
And then there was the crazy Rube House days..  his and John Claude's Smothers Brothers routine which went way to fast for my comprehension, a repartee in a strange language that only Rube House aficionados (particularly the boys) understood.  Paul had a penchant for all things leading-edge or antique - his preference for foreign cars, his organ collection in the barn in Ferndale and the radio museum in Bellingham.  In the last few years when he was no longer able to visit, he would call and entertain us with long rambling phone calls with amazing insight into the most obscure topics.... 
He has left us an accordion to look after, saying that although he couldn't play it anymore, someone at one of the parties may pick it up and play.  It sits in its case in the corner, and every time I look at it I think of Paul and the Niederauers.  A fitting memento, methinks.  
I will miss his style.  Our thoughts are with Paul's family.  
- Eveline

I have fond memories of Paul playing the piano, and accordion when were were growing up. Then he joined the circus ! Or something like that ... where he juggled, and rode a unicycle for entertainment at festivals.  He did have fun back then. 
 - Joan

OBITUARY

Paul Franz Niederauer

June 16, 1953 – November 24, 2014

Piercy's-Mt. Washington Funeral Home

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