April 15, 1941 - March 9, 2025
And so, my friends, be not afraid.
We are so lightly here.
It is in love that we are made,
And in love we disappear.
Leonard Cohen - Boogie Nights
Paul Gerhard Rempel passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025, aged 83, in the arms of Karen, his beloved.
Born in Kitchener, Ontario, on April 15, 1941, Paul was the only child of Ernest and Mary Rempel. After his early childhood in Toronto, Paul moved with his parents to Dundas, Ontario and then to nearby Aldershot, where he finished high school and continued on to university and teachers college. Life was filled with the love of family and cherished times with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Music filled their homes, as various relatives sang hymns around the dining table before dinner or at family gatherings.
After a short stint as a primary school teacher in Virgil, Ontario, Paul worked briefly with his father in the family foundry business. On a whim, Paul took an IQ test and interviewed with IBM Canada, where his 28-year career began with the teaching of computer programming. He later moved into IBM corporate communications but found his true calling in special events. He carried out IBM’s corporate sponsorship initiatives in the arts, and later managed the Meeting Planning and Special Events department where he produced IBM Canada’s incentive and other executive events.
Paul developed a reputation for excellence in producing cutting-edge events, where he managed large teams of people and empowered them to deliver their best work. He proved as adept at working with senior corporate executives and arts organizations as he did with high-profile performing artists.
In 1986, he hired Karen and together they worked on major events for IBM. After leaving IBM in 1992, they married in 1993 and operated their own events company until 2005. They were partners in the richest sense of the word, cherishing their shared life as nothing short of beautiful every single day.
In 2002, they moved to Stratford, Ontario, and their years there were some of the most fulfilling and happiest in Paul’s life, as both he and Karen took full advantage of the city’s offerings. Paul served on the boards of the Stratford Public Library and Stratford Symphony Orchestra and volunteered with the Friends of the Festival. Paul loved travel and he and Karen did so extensively. He filled his life with a rich blend of the performing arts, golf, biking with the Wobbly Wheelers, gardening, photography, fine dining and entertaining friends and family in their home. Singing was an activity that brought him particular joy, whether with various church and community choirs, or singing along to his favourite tunes.
Paul was equally at ease in a tuxedo sipping a very dry martini with a twist or enjoying a cold beer in his gardening clogs after a hard day’s work in his backyard oasis. He had eclectic tastes in music and books. Some of his favourite times were spent sitting by the garden pond and relaxing indoors by the fire with Karen as they listened to Leonard Cohen, Brent Carver or Jacques Brel. All this while sipping on a single malt and enjoying the company of their trusty Golden Retriever - the latest being Casey.
Paul conveyed a reserved, quiet demeanour but was always game to try just about anything, with one exception: “I won’t dance, don’t ask me!” He believed the world is a better place with music and well-written lyrics; he could cry unabashedly at the aria, Casta Diva, from the opera Norma or at the words of George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today”, to name just two of the many pieces that always touched him unexpectedly.
With a deep faith and a quiet presence, Paul believed in the adage of treating others as you would have them treat you. Throughout his life, with his innate ability to convey dignity, respect, and kindness, Paul engaged people of all ages and walks of life. He was a man of integrity and curiosity, an active listener, and a loyal, loving friend. Relationships were of deep importance to him, none more so than his relationship with Karen, with whom he loved to do everything and nothing at all. A lover of animals, he cherished time with his furry companions over the years, the first among equals being Ben, his and Karen’s first Golden Retriever.
As bulbar ALS and progressive supranuclear palsy took over his body, Paul never wavered in his quiet demeanour, faith, and strength of character. He accepted the cards he had been dealt, always offering grateful thanks for a life that had been richly and well lived: filled with the love of family and friends and the deep and abiding love he enjoyed with Karen - the love of his life. Every day of his “dash”, Paul was amazed at God’s wondrous world.
None of us travels these journeys alone, and we offer heartfelt thanks to all those who closed the wagons of support and comfort around us, offering companionship, nourishment, flowers and time, and always with love and good humour.
A special thank you goes to Dorie Woolrich for her guidance and clarity and the support of the entire Care Partners team. Darcy Trefiak, of Physiotherapy Alliance, for his compassion and care. Don Ewert, of Better Ways for Seniors, for his constructive and emotional support. We also thank Dr. Andrew Prout for his gentle and caring medical advice.
Details: Cremation has taken place. Celebration of Life - March 19 at Avondale United Church, 194 Avondale Avenue, Stratford, ON. Visitation 10-11 AM prior to the service at 11:00 AM with reception to follow.
Expressions of sympathy: In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to ALS Canada, Avondale United Church, or a charity of one’s choice, which can be made through Young’s Funeral Home.