Paul trained as a Nuclear Medicine Technician in Britain. A meeting with a Canadian recruitment team brought a job offer, and in 1967 Paul joined the Ottawa General Hospital where he was the manager of the Nuclear Medicine Unit when he retired in 2002, except a brief period of time at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Halifax in 1969.
Paul’s passion for the science that was his profession was matched with desire to see as much of the world as he could; hitchhiking and youth hosteling across Europe when young and enjoying adventures in places like Afghanistan and remote islands in Thailand when settled in his profession. After his marriage with Kaori, travel took them to the places where they had grown up, --Hull, Yorkshire, for Paul and Japan for Kaori. There were also friends working around the world to visit. Going somewhere ‘off the beaten track’ (Iceland was a favourite destination) was their preference, and wherever they went, it was their choice to see how the ordinary people of a place went about their lives and to eat the food they enjoyed.
At home, the science was botany, with the cultivation of succulents, miniature indoor plantings and wonderfully curated gardens. In retirement, science continued to be served when Paul volunteered with the Canadian Nature Museum to assist with the georeference of plant specimens including ones poorly labelled when acquired in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Friends remember Paul for his enthusiasm and optimism in every area of his life and for his skill for solving challenging cryptic crosswords; the more obscure and clever the format, the greater the pleasure. There was always good conversation over a beer and the occasional ‘greasy spoon’ lunch. His friends especially admired the brave and matter-of-fact way Paul dealt with his final illness. A scientist to the last.
Paul leaves Kaori, his brother Graham, in Britain, his goddaughter Erika in Kingston, Ontario and a multitude of friends both in Canada and abroad.
A celebration of Paul’s life will be planned in the spring.
Digital Guestbook
Ruth Koch-Schulte
Kim Madge
It was a pleasure to know Paul. His enthusiasm—for his work, travel, plants, his wife and family, and a shared love of desserts—was boundless. I cherished the time we spent working together at the Canadian Museum of Nature and greatly looked forward to our Tuesday morning coffees.
Rest well, Paul.
Rachel Pond
Kaori,
Sending you strength and support during this challenging period. My deepest condolences. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Rachel
My condolences to Kaori and family.
Paul was a fine, knowledgeable and committed person. A fellow volunteer who
will be remembered for good conversations and friendship.