TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND WHO DIED AS A RESULT OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRES

My best friend Paul of 28 years passed away on 10/14/08. He and his family were forced to evacuate their home due to the California fires. Paul was 63 years old, had Polio and was wheelchair bound; his wife Carol has Cerebral Palsy and cannot speak. They just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They adopted a baby who is now 19 years old. She has a form of Autism (Asperberger's Syndrome) and was recently diagnosed with Lupus.

I called my friends the next day to see if they were returning home yet. Paul said they were fine, that they were going home that afternoon.

During my last conversation with my friend Paul, I noticed his speech was slurred, but when I questioned him about it he said he was fine and assured me it was nothing; I should have known better. Later that day when I called back, I was told he had a serious accident. He had a heart attack and fell out of his van and out of his wheelchair. He died instantly. His autistic daughter witnessed the whole thing and feels responsible and will be forever traumatized.

My friend Paul was the best guy I ever knew. He was so very special to me. I'm still having a hard time believing he is gone. Everyone is in shock. He touched a lot of people's lives in so many ways. He was the kindest, most warm-hearted, friendliest, gentlest human being I ever knew and will ever know. He always had a smile on his face and never had a mean thing to say about anyone. He was the sort of person who would have given you the shirt off his back even if it meant he'd freeze. He never wanted to impose or be a burden and probably knew he was having a heart attack that day but didn't want to worry anyone. That's how he was.

He was more than just a friend to me. He was a brother. He was family. He has another daughter who is 24 and served in Irag and is now married to a great guy who is also serving our country. They have a young daughter and flew back to Japan after the memorial service. They cannot return for a year. The autistic daughter will most likely be placed in a group home because Paul's wife cannot take care of her alone and lives on a fixed income. His family has been devastated and will never be the same without him. He was their whole world -- the glue that held the family together.

Paul was a great husband, wonderful father, a terrific friend and helpful neighbor and was very well known and loved in his community. Everyone who knew him at his church, at his daughter's high school and in his neighborhood thought very highly of him. He was of service to many and devoted his time to different charities. I have wonderful memories of times we spent together that I will cherish forever.

Not only did I lose my best friend in the whole world, but the world has lost a very good person and it will never be the same without him. Life is so precious and I really never realized how precious it truly is, until this happened. This will change my life forever. I will never take life nor those I love for granted ever again.

I love you Paul and I miss you so much... and hope you are now flying with the angels in heaven!