Obituary for Paul Lawrence Fourchalk
Fourchalk – Paul Lawrence died peacefully on January 25, 2009 in Victoria, BC. He was born on January 22, 1930 in Vancouver, BC. He is survived by his brother in law George Ferdinands, his nephews Paul and Steve Ferdinands and his nieces Dolores Shortman and Anne Ferdinands.
He was raised in Vancouver and after graduating high school, he joined the seminary and moved to Ontario to study philosophy and theology. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1959 and worked to serve God as Pastor and Superior in Alberta and Saskatchewan until 1980. He then moved on to begin a career in family counselling in Wainwright, Alberta where he helped many individuals, couples and families to find new meaning in life.
Paul retired to Victoria in 1996 and was a very active parishioner with St. Andrew’s Cathedral, participating in a number of church activities and with other volunteer groups in Victoria. He was known for his great spirit of kindness, his wonderful sense of humour, and his generosity, enthusiasm and patience. Paul was an open, sensitive and caring man, always willing to offer a friendly hand to his many friends and family.
A celebration of his life will be held with a funeral mass at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Victoria on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 12 noon. A reception will follow in the cathedral hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice.
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Joanne Fortin
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Teddy (Ted) Huculak Once in a while I make a Google search looking for a person who at one time touched my life and made an impact! That was Father Fourchalk and I was saddened to read of his Graduation from this life. I met him when I was attending Holy Cross High School in Calgary. What an incredible human being. I treasured so very much his letters from Rome many years ago when 100 miles was a long way away AND FATHER FOURCHALK wrote to me from ROME!!!!!!!! He was specially created and NEVER WILL HE BE DUPLICATED.
Teddy Huculak
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Lynn Weedmark It is eight months later and we miss Paul, his humour, and giggles, phone calls of support and Sunday breakfasts.
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Dwayne and Sandra Melnyk (Tchir) Paul was a dear friend, gentle soul and kind man. We will always remember his jokes and laughter. He was such a generous person and always had stories and advice to share. Our thoughts are with his family…when you remember Paul it will be with a smile on your lips and laughter in your heart. Will will truly miss our friend.
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Mark Clarkson Pauls peaceful, gentle and loving way has been a great inspiration and comfort to me. I will miss him.
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Sharon Froud I was saddened to hear of Paul’s passing. I’ll always remember his sense of humour and positive attitude – he was a truly special person.
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anita levesque my fondest memories of paul are from my childhood in wainwright, alberta. he would affectionately call me ‘petunia’ (which i loved, since i rarely had a nickname) and i remember him as being engaging and funny. i had the pleasure of knowing him in adulthood, as well, and i will always remember his kindness, generosity, and wittiness.
my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
paul – you will truly be missed
xoxoxowith love
anita
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Deborah and Bernie Dahl Paul’s passing has left a huge void in our hearts. He was our grandpa Fourchalk, and our family was made better by having him be a part of it. He will never be forgotten.
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to Paul's family He was the most beautiful person me and my fiance have ever met , not only with his warm smile but with his loving and caring personality , he seemed to always see the best in life and he seemed to love every minute he was here , he touched us so very much , by being so kind to us ,when he saw us in the neighborhood and in the building in which we lived in , not only this but always seemed to remember our faces ,whenever we were in town or on the bus , or even in our neighborhood supermarket. He always seemed to make us smile or laugh, even with a pleasant joke. We even talked over balconys and watch the air show, and he really seemed to enjoy our pumkins on halloween , He was a very warm man , that many of us will miss and always remember , we feel soo blessed to have known him and that he always remembered us ,one of the best neighbors a person could have .
Paul you will truly be missed by many.
alll our love, the Sami Family
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Marcel & Gisela Levesque Gisela and I offer our deepest condolences to Paul’s relatives and friends; he will be greatly missed. We often hear the saying “everyone is replaceable” well that may be true unless you knew Paul Fourchalk (Quattro Chaco) as I used to joke with him. Paul was a very compassionate man and he touched many people and boy did he like to talk! You just didn’t call him just to say hello; you better made sure that you had a couple of hours or more to spend on the phone. Gisela and I first met Paul in l980 when he moved to Wainwright; we became good friends. In 1986 we left Wainwright to return in 1993; he was quick to recruit me for the Board of Directors of the Wainwright and District Counselling. I witnessed first hand how compassionate a man he was; available 24 hours a day for his clients even taking money out of his own pockets to help out families. When in 1996 he retired we tried to fill his shoes; that’s when I found out that Paul Fourchalk was irreplaceable. When God created him He didn’t need a carbon copy He knew that this man would touch many people in his life by his love, compassion, care of others but above all listening. He leaves a big void in many people’s lives and reading the many messages of condolences from the people he knew in Victoria and elsewhere just echo how lucky we have been to have known such a loving man. May you rest in peace dear friend; you have served your time well on this earth and God has a special seat in Heaven for you.
With Love Gisela & Marcel Levesque
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Michele Rutledge I knew Paul from his time spent in Wainwright as a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish. Paul was a true gentleman and I was sorry to learn of his passing. Although he left Wainwright over a dozen years ago I have thought of him often over the years.
Sincere sympathy to his extended family.
Michele Rutledge
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Joe Gubbels I offer you my condolences with the death of Paul. I have known Paul for many years since I met him in Parksville and during his time in Wainwright and Victoria. Yes, he was a very kind and wonderful person. May he rest in Peace.
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Nora Anderson Dear Paul’s family:
I knew Paul through the People of Hope Charismatic Prayer Group at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. I will never forget his wonderful sweet spirit, his kindness and generosity and especially his sense of humour. I used to give him a very short ride home to his condo building and he would try to pay me for gas. When I would refuse the money, saying it wasn’t necessary, He would leave some toonies or loonies on the passenger seat! I’d try to give it back and he wouldn’t take it, so after while, I pretended I didn’t notice he had left it there! We were truly blessed to have known Paul.
I will hold him in my heart, forever.
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Mike Fourchalk and family I always called Paul “Father Paul” I remember attending his ordination to the priesthood and that memory has stayed with me all my life. He was a kind gentle and caring man much in the shadow of his parents Peter and Doris Fourchalk. I remember visiting him in Calgary while on a family holiday. We attended mass with him and then had some tea in the rectory afterwards. When I told my daughters of his passing they both remembered that day. I firmly believe that all people who met Father Paul remembered him for touching their lives, if sometimnes only briefly.
From Mike & Bonnie, Shelley & Rick, Teresa & Noel, our deepest condolences inyour time of sorrow.
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mavis kenndy what a wonderful ,loving, humorous man. i have never been in his presence when he hasent made the the place happier for all those around him..this man had the lite of god coming through him,i and many others are fortunate to have met him !!! enjoy your new journey Paul,i am sure you are already on another mission of love…. sincerely Mavis K.
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Bill and Diane Tchir and family Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Aly Johnson Paul was an very important part of my life. He will be so missed by my entire family. I feel increbibly blessed to have had the priviledge of not only calling him friend, but grandpa as well.
My heart aches wishing I could pick up the phone and call him, but feel blessed that I was able to say good bye and be by his side before he passed.
My condolences to his nieces and nephews I know how much he loved you and can only imagine how you too are mourning the passing of such an incredible man.
If I can do anything please call.
With love,
Aly (Dahl) Johnson
Gosh today I thought of Paul. I remember me as a 8 year old girl, feeling alone in this world and walking by his office window. He had a turtle in his window and I was taken by it. He somehow knew I was there and looked outside and stared to talk to me. He knew I needed him. It was a relationship we kept until he left Wainwright. I am 42 years old now and I will never forget him. He saved me.