Paul Vincent Dunn
Date de décès : 24 décembre 2018
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Paul Vincent Dunn, age 67, beloved father, brother, uncle and friend, on Monday, December 24, 2018 at the Dartmouth General Hospital. Paul passed away peacefully surrounded by music and his loving family. Born in North Sydney on February 1, 1951, Paul was the eldest son of the late Kilmer and Helen (Balah) Dunn.
Paul had many interests; sports and fitness to hone his body, and literature and philosophy to nurture his mind. Even with these pastimes, it didn’t take Paul long to realize that music was his lifelong passion. Growing up in a home filled with music, Paul’s natural gift of playing the piano and composing blossomed at an early age. In his teenage years, Paul played the keys in several well-known bands on the local music scene. It was in these early years that he began exhibiting exceptional writing and arranging skills, collaborating with two of his closest friends, Tony Quinn and the late Neil Chambers, performing together in the bands ‘The Children of Ogg’ and ‘Big Moth’. Paul also played with the popular Northside band, ‘The Rockin’ Saints’. He later went on to study in the Bachelor of Music program at Mount Allison University, where he refined his classical piano training. It was after university that Paul joined the ‘Minglewood Band’, where he spent a number of years touring across Canada and the United States, opening for major acts including ZZ Top, Molly Hatchet, and The Beach Boys. As an integral member of the group, songs that Paul wrote and co-wrote were included on five albums, two of which achieved gold record status.
In the mid-80s, Paul returned home to settle down, get married and raise a family. It was at this time that he began teaching piano privately in his home in North Sydney, and where he instilled the love of music in so many of his students. Paul also began working at Marine Atlantic before retiring in 2016 after more than 30 years.
In the last number of years, Paul had been working on finishing an album of his own songs featuring his entire family, and up until his last days in hospital was still deeply involved in its creative process. This project was very close to his heart and has been a labour of love for him and his family.
Paul will be remembered for his quiet, gentle, unassuming demeanor, along with his generosity and unwavering ability to put others before himself, even in his final days. Everyone who knew him enjoyed his sharp wit and sense of humor, delivered with ease and a smile. Most important to Paul was his love for family, especially his sons, Adrian and Evan. His wisdom and guidance will be treasured by his family forever as the man with such great insight, a keen creative ear and a deeply compassionate heart is at rest. The void his absence has left is unspeakable, and he will be greatly missed.
Paul is survived by his two sons, Adrian (Jhamiela) Dunn, Dartmouth, Evan Dunn, Edmonton, and their mother, Louanne Penny (Terry Bond), North Sydney; his brothers and sisters, Tom (Sara) Dunn, Sydney Mines, Maureen (Lionel) Serroul, North Sydney, Michael Dunn, Halifax, Eileen (Peter) Walsh, North Sydney, Mary (Lloyd) Camp, North Sydney, Helen (Michael) Higgins, Cole Harbour, Kim (Maureen) Dunn, Boutilier’s Point; his many nieces and nephews with whom he shared a close and special relationship; his long-time friend, Tony Quinn, who was like a brother to him, and Laurie and Jim MacKinnon and their children with whom he was very close.
Besides his parents, Helen and Kilmer Dunn, Paul was predeceased by his nephew and godson, Anthony Serroul.
The family would like to thank Dr. Sue Robinson and her staff at Victoria General Hospital, the VON of Halifax/Dartmouth, Dr. Jill Lawless, Dr. Natalie Chang, the Palliative Care staff and the nurses on 4West at Dartmouth General Hospital for the compassion and excellent care shown to Paul.
Visitation for Paul will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2018 in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A Celebration of Paul’s life will be held 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 30 at the North Sydney Fire Hall, Pierce Street. Burial will take place at a later date in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.
Memorial donations may be made to the North Sydney Food Bank or a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com.
“In this great unknown
Carve these words in stone
You are not alone
I am with you.”
Paul Dunn
