John Richard Paul passed away on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at the age of 83.
Family, friends and the health care professionals who nurtured and supported him over the years lost a man who had come to represent the gold standard in terms of courage, determination and an everlasting belief in the half-full cup.
John Richard Paul, son of Gertrude and Henry Paul, was born in Bangor on March 2, 1938 with an eye stigmatism that left him nearly blind. That was the first of many setbacks in his life, none of which ever stopped him from achieving his goals.
In middle school, “Johnny”, as he was known to family, wanted to play football. His dad said “NO!”, but his mom signed the permission slip anyway, because she knew her son wanted to be just like everyone else. Unfortunately, a serious break in his arm in the first practice necessitated complicated surgery, and that was the end of his football career – but not the message to his parents, which was that he refused to be sidelined, in sports or in life!
Despite the challenges of being nearly blind, John Paul graduated Bangor High School in 1956, went on for a post-graduate year at Maine Central Institute, graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1961, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, and then received a Masters of Business Degree from New York University in 1963.
After a brief stint working in retail in New York City, John Paul returned to Bangor, Maine and joined his dad Henry in the John Paul Company, a family men’s clothing business founded by John’s grandfather and namesake, John Paul. They were famous throughout the northern part of the state for their slogan “Short or tall, big or small, John Paul fits ‘em all.” Over a period of several years John bought into the business as a full partner, respected by family members for his acumen in buying off-price goods in the urban markets. In 1986 ill health forced him to retire, and he moved back to New York City where he lived until 1999, when once again deteriorating health forced a move, this time to Portland and major spinal surgery.
In March of 2000, John moved into the Atrium, Cedar’s independent living complex, as one of their first residents. He found a true home there, forming deep and lasting friendships among both residents and staff. He served for several years as the president of the residents’ council, organized the annual Super Bowl betting contests and was a regular at the gym. Known as “JP” to one and all, the Atrium became his special place, a home where he could share ups and downs, give and receive emotional support and experience caring in a way that cannot be quantified.
In 2014, when independent living was no longer a viable option, the move down the corridor to the Osher Inn assisted living complex was just a simple wheelchair ride away. “JP’s” Atrium friends continued to visit and to take him back to the Atrium for Sunday brunch and Thursday dinners. Staff stopped in to check on him, from throughout the complex . It was one big family, and it was his family.
The medical care JP received at Cedars was extraordinary, at all levels, adding quality and extending his life beyond reasonable expectations. Special thanks go to Dr. William DeAngelo, his neurosurgeon, Dr. Richard Marino and Dr. Ann Magna, the former and current Medical Directors at The Cedars. Each went above and beyond what they teach in medical school, demonstrating a sense of compassion, sensitivity and humanity that made John Paul’s years of medical challenges easier to bear. He always had a sense that they cared deeply about him as a person, and wanted him to have whatever quality of life was possible, despite continuing medial complications. They made a difference.
If John Paul were here today, he would want to express gratitude for the Atrium and Osher Inn relationships that meant so much to him. It is always risky to name just a few, when there have been so many. Nevertheless, John would want to acknowledge those who played a very prominent role in his life over the years: Brian Des Pres, Director of PT, who was so crucial to his miraculous 2017 recovery; his dear friend Paul Kapola and Paul’s daughter Sandy and son-in-law, Dr. Chuck Radis; his personal “health care advisor”, Mary Lou Condon; other deceased friends: Charlie Church, Gene Gorayeb, and Bill Webster; Chris from In-Home Senior Services who helped John for many years; Nancy Kuliga and her wellness staff at the Osher Inn; Angie Hunt and Kathy Callnan, who always found time for John, no matter how many other crises were happening at the time; Kathryn O’Neil, following in Angie’s footsteps, with the same personal commitment; good friends John leaves behind: Ber Miton and Bo Ryan; and, most of all, his very special friend and confidant: Karen Cook, who was there for him on his brightest and also his darkest days, somehow always sensing just what he needed to keep the uphill battle going.
John is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Betsy and Alan Levenson; his sister Jane Fishkin; nieces and nephews Dr. Paul, LaDona, Grant and Elena Fishkin; Charles Fishkin, Suzanne Tinley, Jeanne Marie Fishkin and Henry Paul Fishkin; James Fishkin and Christina Gaspar, Joel Fishkin, Dr. Luella Bangura and Sarah Fishkin; Suzanne, Wayne; Hannah Berzinis and Hannah’s friend Josh Genest; Rebecca, Stephen, Zachary and Daniel Ravel: and Meredith, Dean and Mason Zerbe.
Rabbi Carolyn Braun will officiate at the interment, which will be at Mount Sinai Cemetery on Hicks Street in Portland on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 1:30pm. Following internment, the Rabbi and John’s family will join residents and staff at Cedars to shares memories of his life.
Contributions in John’s memory may be made to the John Paul Memorial Fund at The Cedars, 620 Ocean Avenue, Portland, Me, 04103.