Tribute to Ivan Paul

Tribute to Ivan Paul

1945 – 2020

Long time Grande Meadows member Ivan Paul passed away suddenly on February 10 while on vacation with his wife, Jane and some friends in St. Thomas in the U. S. Virgin Islands.

Ivan left Burin for Churchill Falls after completing an electrician course at Burin District Vocational School. From there he migrated to Ontario and went to work for Ontario Hydro from where he retired back to his hometown in 2006.

One of the closest places to Ivan's heart was Grande Meadows Golf Course and he became a member right away. And he became a friend to all who met him at the golf course. Ivan was a person who never complained about anything and always had a smile for you as well as a kind word. Ivan treated everybody the same and he was always appreciative to play a round with anyone.

Many people would use an illness such as Parkinson's as a crutch or an excuse but not Ivan. He took it in stride and continued to compete as he always did. He would talk about Parkinson's and answer any questions that you asked. I remember him telling me about the time about 10 years ago when he was going to Germany to try out the stem cell transplant treatment. When it didn't work out for him he just soldiered on – he didn't complain or feel dejected. He was the same old Ivan.

I remember coming home from Ontario a few years ago after he had his deep brain stimulation treatment in Toronto. The first day I met him he told me all about his treatment and showed me where they had done the surgery as well as how it worked. He was excited that the treatment worked so that he was able to cut back on many of the medications he had to take.

Ivan continued to golf day after day right up until the end of this past golf season. For the first time this past year he took a golf cart which helped him still be a little more energetic so that he could complete 18 holes – Ivan wasn't fond of doing just 9 holes. One of Ivan's many golf buddies at Grande Meadows, Eric Ayers say, “There was no golfer that I would rather golf with than Ivan Paul!” That thought was held by many golfers at Grande Meadows.

Throughout the years Ivan participated in many tournaments at Grande Meadows including 7 GM Invitationals. He competed in that tournament for the first time in 2006. One of Ivan's favorite events at Grande Meadows was Men's Night participation. Every Thursday evening that he could make it he was there. At the 2010 Men's Finale Ivan was voted the winner of the Norm Croucher sportsmanship award named in honor of Norm who had passed away earlier that year. He continued to be that very same sportsman until he last played at Grande Meadows.

Condolences from his Grande Meadows friends goes out to his wife Jane, his son Stephen, his precious granddaughter, Filippa as well as Ivan's extended family. RIP Ivan.

Below are some photos from the past few years showing Ivan in his glee. Just click the small photo to see the larger one.