I was Paul’s Best friend and Scuba diving Buddy … my wife Donnas Dad just died on Thanksgiving day and made me think of Paul..our Best Dive trip was Galopogos islands with Whale Sharks in 2011 and many local dives..he was so nice and cooked a Great Steak..I miss him so much..I still dive with his Scuba tanks today..Herbert Whalen/ Hugh Age 61..he was 14 years Younger…SAD

I found out about his passing yesterday. I met Paul when we were both 6 years old and living on the same street in NMB.  You could say that our first meeting was lively considering the fact that we ended up in a fistfight within 20 minutes of meeting each other!  However, that aggression blossomed into a great friendship, which we maintained all through grade school.  We lost touch during our college and grad school years but we managed to reconnect years later.  My heart goes out to his family and I'm so very sorry for their loss. 

You are in my thoughts now and always buddy!

Paul was a sweet soul, always smiling and respectful, caring and affectionate. Paul, I wish you were still with us. When I heard the news, I was shocked, you didn't have to leave so early! May God have you among his dearest children! Love you and remember you often for just the way you were! Your tia Gladys, Hallandale Beach, Florida

I met Paul when I was 19 years old in the beginning of 1992 when I started working as a valet for Caribbean parking at Mystic Pointe in Aventura. I was at tower 200 and he was at the 300 with Frank Alonso who also wrote here. We had a lot of fun parking cars and I got to know him and we had a lot in common, our moms were both from Peru and we loved Peruvian food. Every summer from 1992-1995 we would take his Polaris waverunner out and go water skiing which we both loved and then we'd go get some Peruvian food. We did this until 1995 when I moved to New Jersey for 3 years to go to college, we lost touch but when I came back it was as if I never left. He was always fun, positive and just loved life. The whole time in the over 22 years that I knew him, not once did I ever see him angry or speak badly about anyone, he didn't have a bad bone in him and always smiled and laughed at my jokes or wisecracks. We always went to the movies, our favorites were "Point Break","Heat" and "A Bronx Tale". He was always respectful of others, he called my mom "tia" and I admired how he saved money and had great credit, and it made me want to be like him in that sense, he brought out the best in you. I miss him and wish he was still here, God Bless you brotha, I hope you are smiling down at all of us!!

Paul was a blast to be around.  We always had fun hanging out.

Paul was a good friend of mine.  He was always positive and always kept me smiling with his jokes.  Very thoughtful all around nice guy and will really be missed.

I just found out today about Paul's passing.  I am shocked and saddened to finally find out where you disappeared to.  Your friends from the beach have all been wondering what was going on as none of us had heard from you.  You were a good man and a well thought of friend to all of your buddies.  You always had a smile and and good things to say about life in general.  You will be forever missed, I'm happy to have called you my friend.  God bless you,  Rest in Peace man!   Love you buddy,   Eric

I am a little late signing Paul's guest book since finding out last night12/30/13. Paul was a good freind of mine and I met him out of high school when we got jobs at Mystic Pointe condos in Adventura and a Italian restaurant in the Grove at night. We hit it of and been freinds ever since. He was a great person and he was always willing to help me though some troubled times. I moved down to south dade after working with him and we always kept in touch. He loved roller coasters and we have been to many theme parks with him and always had a blast. We always talked about skydiving together and taking a trip to go diving together. Paul was a extremist and he always said "if your not living on the edge you are taking up too much space":)  we will miss you meng!!!

Paul was a great spirit, he was always easy to talk to and had a great attitude towards things. May his soul rest in peace. My prayers to the Thatcher family during this difficult moment.

He was so sweet and always smiling. A very thoughtful person.  He will be missed.  My heart goes out to his family during this very sad time.

We never had time to hang out or go diving, but every time we worked on a project or he called to talk about something work related, it was always 60% work and 30% catching up on life and the different dive sites he or I dove. I am very heartbroken and saddened to hear about his passing.  Paul was a great person to talk to and work with. My condolences to the family, He will be greatly missed.

Paul always had a smile and usually something funny to say when when our paths crossed at work, I know our paths will cross again. Meanwhile, may the lord keep him and his family forever in our thoughts and prayers.

My condolences to Paul's family and friends. He was a wonderful co-worker and will never be forgotten.

   I met my good friend and Dive Buddy Paul Thatcher on a Dive trip to Bimini in 2003...his passion was Scuba diving and he also played tennis...he was an Advanced Open Water diver with 750 dives...we did all of South Floridas deep advanced wrecks and reefs to catch Lobsters and spearfish...he went almost every weekend with Paul Varien charters with Floridas best spearfishermen and was so Proud of the BIG 40 pounder he caught...we took many Carribean cruises and dive trips together...the Galapagos livaboard was our Best in 2011.. we dived with   60 foot Whale sharks and I have it on DVD...and the shark feeding dive with Stuart Cove...Cozumel, Mexico we went deep down Walls. and a fun trip to Costa Rica..almost every Sunday we had Steak dinners at my Condo in Oakland Park...he cooked the best Steak ever..he was the nicest guy in the world...I am Heartbroken and will miss him for the rest of my Life...  Herbert E. Whalen,III  or HUGH   (Oakland Park, FL)

My condolences to the family.  Paul was a nice guy and he and his smile will be missed

Paul,
You have been always very courteous, professional and very good colleague for past 4 years we have been working together. Thank you for that! And thank you for delicious fishes you brought me from your diving!  
My deepest sympathy to Paul's Family and friends.

My deepest condolences to Paul's family and friends. I've known Paul for over a long time from when I hired him over 14 years ago. He always had a positive outlook and smile, great sense of humor, and very easy going guy. I know he will be missed by all that knew him.

Todavía me resulta difícil adaptarme a la idea de que Paul ya no existe. Los amigos como él representan una clase ya casi extinta. Jovialidad, sinceridad, dinamismo y capacidad son solo algunas de esas cualidades que adornaban su persona. Es una gran pérdida para todos los que le conocimos de cerca. Quiero expresar mis sinceras condolencias a la familia Thatcher-Valdez, deseándoles que puedan superar este difícil momento.

I still find it hard to adjust to the idea that Paul is gone. Friends like him are an almost extinct class. Joviality, sincerity, dynamism and ability are just some of those qualities that adorned his person. It is a great loss to all of us who knew him closely. I want to express my sincere condolences to the Thatcher-Valdez family, wishing that they can overcome this difficult situation.

I am so deeply saddened at the loss of Paul. My wife and I have been brought to tears upon learning of his passing. Paul was a great friend. We did alot of scuba diving together. I miss him already. My wife and I have always held the highest respect and love for Paul. We will miss him dearly. - Frank and Susan Darden

My husband and I were so upset to hear of Paul's passing. He was clearly a good friend to my husband and this is a loss to all that have met him. May your family find comfort in the friendships he had made. RIP Paul

Paul was always very kind and friendly to me.  Thanks for a decade of friendship, and thanks for all of the help through the years.  Will miss you Paul.  Sending love and best wishes to your family. Rich

Paul was a great person with good sense of humor, always willing to help. my condolences to his family and all who had the opportunity to meet and work with him.

It was devastating to all of us to hear that Paul passed away.
He was vibrant, kind, competent, positive and helpful. It was always an enormous pleasure to work with him.
What an incredible loss to us all.
We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Denis and Susan McQuillen

I, like all who knew and worked with Paul, are devastated.  He was valued by everyone at our company. I don't think he would ever have imagined how much this has impacted so many.  Paul will be missed.

Paul was a great person to know and work with. He had a wonderful personality and possessed a unique sense of humor. He will be long remembered and sadly missed by all. With deepest sympathy.

Paul was a great co-worker and more especially a friend.  He was always willing to assist me with issues at the McAdoo facility. And always wanted to know about my adventures as a volunteer firefighter.  He will be missed.

Paul worked with us since 2001 and came from an entry level position.  He earned many promotions and was a terrific employee,  gentle manner and a very nice person.   I enjoyed working with him, as did everyone he came in contact with at the cigar company.   Many of us are devastated by his demise and Paul will be missed by many.

Theo

Our frienship will last forever,
I will always keep the good memories,
Great coworker and friend,
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.Tu hermano y compadre

Jose and Amelia Garcia

My condolences to Thatcher's family.  Paul will be missed a lot and he was very profesional.  I worked with him since he started to work with us and he helped us a lot.  I will always remember him.

I have known Paul for about 13 years.  I befriended Paul outside of work because him and I were very similar.  I wish we had spent more time together.  With the inclusions of Ken Ives and Jim Burka, the four of us had many good times at the racetrack, rock concerts, clubs, football/baseball games, and all were guests at my wedding in Vegas. He was always there for me with computer questions and I always helped him out of a Jam when it came to taxes.  We always knew what the other was thinking.  He was good at busting "them" too.  Paul also became a family friend.  My wife always enjoyed his company.  The two of them busted each others chops.  I am very picky with the friends I have allowed into my life.  It was an honor to have Paul as my friend.  His family should know that I, Jim Burka, my wife, and Ken Ives enjoyed Paul's company.  I wish the Thatcher family my warmest regards.  I will miss him dearly.

Definitely Paul you will be missed it was a pleasure to work with you an excellent professional. My  condolences to his family. Rest in Peace my friend.

~Mayra Carreras,  Puerto Rico

Someone as special as Paul will never be forgotten. It was a pleasure to work with him. His smile and kindness will remain in our hearts forever. With deepest sympathy.

Paul, will always be remembered for his smile and gentleness. May Jesus brings Peace and Hope to his family during this difficult journey.

Augusto & Pietra Larenas

My condolences the whole family, I'll  miss you my friend.

In the short time I knew Paul, he demonstrated to be an excellent professional and better human being.  He's a great loss to us all and I would like to offer my condolencess to his family, friends and colleagues.  You will be missed!

Paul was a very great co-worker with us. He is very helpful to colleagues, smiles and chats nicely to others. Paul's pleasant humors will be greatly missed. My deeply condolences to the Thatcher family!

I would like to express my sincere condolences to Paul's family and pray for their strength during these troubling times. 
I will always remember Paul as a Friend in addition to co-worker.  He always had a kind word and enjoyed talking about me being a volunteer firefighter. 
May God Bless and Give You Peace.

Paul was the nicest of guys with a great sense of humor.  I had the privilege of not only working with him but being his friend for over 12 years.  We went to many rock concerts, comedy clubs and sporting events over the years.  He was not only fun to hang out with but would always be there if you needed him. He will be missed.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time for all of us.

Paul's smile and wonderful humor will be greatly missed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family..

He was a great friend and a great "partner in crime".  We had fun times working on the network together and dealing with all the "white noise".  I will miss him greatly

Paul was a great guy and will always be remembered for his easy going manner and that wonderful smile...Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

My Condolences to the whole family, Paul was a pleasant presence each day, he will be missed. My prayers go out for strength for his family during this time.

Paul was one of the best persons I've had the pleasure work with. Always with a smile and willing to help. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He will be missed.

I will always remember Paul as great person, he was always helpful, responsible and a pleasure to work with.  His good humor will be missed by all.  My sincere heartfelt condolences to his family, God bless.

Please accept my condolences.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family.  Paul will be missed....

"My most heartfelt Condolences to the family.  I will always remember Paul as the most polite, sincere and honest person I have had the privilage to know"  We will miss him every day.   R.I.P. Paul"

I will always remember Paul's smile, and will very much miss seeing him at the office. He was a very nice co-worker. May God's mercy and strength comfort the family.

OBITUARY

Paul Valdez Thatcher

April 19, 1974 – November 16, 2013

Caballero Rivero Southern

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