Today I lost my Dad

Today is one of the saddest days of my life how do you say goodbye to a man who has been there all your life, in my eyes a great man who not only was there to help and support me in hard times but also to celebrate in my successes... Victor John Paul my Dad. A father should take time to understand our problems and to be there with a shoulder to cry on when hard times hit, all that and more was within my father an incredible man who lived an amazing life.

A great bloke who worked his ass off most of his life, from the Dairy Farm in Scotts Flat (Singleton) to the air-force (Rathmines Park) onto the railways and then to BHP. Over all these years I looked up to him as not only a hard creative man with a soft heart, but also as a bloke I would love to imitate over my lifetime.... I know It's a lot to live up to but it's worth trying I believe. The last time we talked as the kids hopped into the van for our trip back to Perth, we had a laugh at a quick joke and a firm handshake and said see ya latter... He then leaned into me and said 'You know between you and me this will probably be the last time we chat together' which I agreed.... The old bugger gave me a friggin' tear saying that and we had one of those long hard hugs and said our goodbyes, that's one of the memories I'll keep inside for the rest of my life. One that I will cherish forever... that and sitting in the backseat with Jodi as dad and mum drove us to Broken hill for a holiday, in a combi van driving at 70kms an hour for 1300kms one way!!!! How can I ever forget that!

'Dad passed away quietly in his sleep this morning after a long battle with vascular dementia. He left this world in his own bed, in his own home and with not a day in hospital away from his beloved wife, our mum, Maureen Paul. Fittingly he left her on Valentines Day a day she will no doubt remember for the rest of her life, as will we all. He was 87 1/2 years old. Whilst he will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him, his time had come and he was looking forward to joining his parents and siblings who had already passed and whom he missed every day of his life'.

Phillip Paul

Dad installed inside of us a strong meaning of the word Family and in doing so showed us how much work you need to put into it, and how importantly the great things and the saddest ones go hand in hand in a normal family life. It's nice to enjoy all the finest moments that your family brings, but it's hard to live through the ones that hit you in your heart...

But you must.

He show us not in words but by example that if you work hard at something in time it will pay off more then you can ever imagine, it could be your marriage, your family your work-life or just with your friends. You must invest yourselves completely and ask for nothing in return... That was my Dad.

Good bye old man