St Joseph's Catholic Church was overflowing for the final farewell of George Henry Paul - a loving and devoted family man, a respected and successful business man, and a tireless worker for the community he loved.
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Mr Paul's death on May 20 at the age of 84 after a long illness was met with sadness and regret by a wide cross-section of the community.
The farewell mass, con-celebrated by parish priest Fr John McHugh, Vicar General of the Armidale Diocese, Monsignor Ted Wilkes, and former parish priest Fr Tony Castelli, was broadcast to those gathered outside the church.
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Born on August 9, 1934, at Concorde West, the third child of Harry and Ethel Paul, George grew up with his older siblings Patricia and Ronald, attending St Patrick's Christian Brothers College in Strathfield and was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to university. In 1953, he was called up for compulsory National Service and was selected for pilot training in the RAAF.
He later worked for a chartered accounting firm in O'Connell Street, Sydney, but curiosity about country life brought him to Gunnedah in 1959 to join Pat Conti's accounting firm.
Within a fortnight he had been asked to join Apex and was signed up as secretary of the Gunnedah District Tennis Association. This is where he met his future wife Robyn Hussey and her brother Michael who were regulars at the tennis club.
The couple became engaged on Robyn's 21st birthday and their marriage in September 1961 was the start of an enduring relationship that would last for 58 years. The couple welcomed their first child Ian in 1965, followed by Mark (1966), Michael (1967), Paddy (1968), and Brendan (1971).
During this time, Mr Paul was also studying law part-time and was admitted to the Bar in 1971. He managed a thriving chartered accounting practice and when the opportunity arose to buy Gunnedah Timbers in 1974, he invested in the cypress pine sawmill established by the Eather family.
Over the next 35 years, he built Gunnedah Timbers to be the largest and most efficient cypress pine milling operation in NSW, but he couldn't have done it without the efforts of his son Paddy Paul, and later Michael Paul. The business also expanded to Baradine.
He always had the greatest respect for the the expertise and loyalty of all sawmill employees.
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The local was a member of Apex, from 1959 to 1974, and with retirement compulsory at the age of 40, he joined Rotary, treasuring the life-long friendships he made and involving himself their community service programs.
Of all the volunteer projects undertaken, he was most proud of the picket fence around Wolseley Oval. This was built during his tenure as president in 2003.
Mr Paul was a man of great faith and his Christian values were reflected in his everyday life. He had the highest regard and admiration for the wonderful work of the Sisters of Mercy and volunteered his accountancy skills to assist with parish finances and support the Sisters of Mercy with financial advice.
He was a foundation board member of the Armidale Diocesan Investment Group (ADIG), serving on the board for more than 35 years. In 2002, George Paul was recognised for his service to the church and the Pontiff with the Croce Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice bestowed on him by Pope John Paul 2 and presented by Bishop Luc Matthys in St Joseph's Church. He was the first parishioner to ever receive the honour, which he accepted humbly and with enormous grace.
The local's contribution to the wider community was often done quietly and without fanfare, with generous service extended to the Dorothy Mackellar Memorial Society and poetry awards for more than 15 years. He also enjoyed his Wednesday game of golf with lifelong friends and appreciated the friendship and support of neighbours during his illness.
Mr Paul was a favourite among the grandkids, and was always interested and supportive of their endeavours.
His integrity, kindness and compassion in many other areas of his life did not go unnoticed and the large turnout for his funeral, estimated at 500, was a testament to a life well lived.
In closing the eulogy at St Joseph's church, Mark Paul said:
"At 84, your passing feels too soon, and for your family, a tragic loss. But it's been a life well lived. You have accomplished so much and had a positive influence on the lives of so many. All here today have been blessed to know you.
You handled your illness as you did your life, with dignity, humour, kindness and courage.
We are proud of you.
We will miss you.
We will honour your memory.
Rest in peace."
The farewell mass on May 27 was followed by interment at Gunnedah Memorial Park.
The late George Paul is survived by his wife Robyn and family Ian and Deirdre (Sydney), Mark and Melissa (Melbourne), Michael and Anne (Sydney), Paddy and Trudy (Gunnedah) and Brendan (Sydney), as well as 11 grandchildren - Conor, Aislinn, Niamh, Molly, Tom, Ruby, Eddie, Olivia, Toby, Erin, Lachie, Phoebe and Harry Paul. He was pre-deceased by his sister Patricia and brother Ronald.
