Paul James Gates

Paul was an absolute delight as a child and young man. He was precocious, funny, creative and affectionate. He loved spending time in northern Michigan with his family on Lake Margrethe and the AuSable River. He travelled to Hawaii several times and was enamored with the islands’ beauty, people and culture. He had an independent spirit and a big heart. Even when he didn’t have money in his own pocket, he wanted to help someone else in need. He loved meeting people and sharing their stories. For much of his adult life Paul faced mental health challenges that often-made life’s obstacles insurmountable. This did not, however, define him as a person. Throughout his difficult journey he continued to search for meaning, truth, love and understanding to the end of his life.

Paul will be deeply missed by his surviving family: mother, Janice Trudgeon, siblings Maya and Julian Clark, his grandmother, Agnes Marie Trudgeon, and multiple aunts, uncles, and cousins in both the Gates and Trudgeon families. He is pre-deceased by his father, Rusty Gates, his grandfather, Jack Trudgeon, his aunt, Leesa Galvani, and his grandparents, Mary and Cal Gates.

The family plans to have a private celebration of Paul’s life at a later date.

Donations may be made in Paul’s memory to: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) www.nami.org