Lawrence Alexander Paul
Lieu de décès : Truro, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de décès : 28 mai 2014
Chief Lawrence Alexander Paul, born in Saint John, N.B., after suffering a long illness, surrounded by family and friends, passed away at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro, on Wednesday night, May 28, 2014, he was 79.
Chief Paul was raised on the Shubenacadie Indian Reserve, now Indian Brook, and attended the Indian day school on the Reserve. Later in life Paul joined the Canadian Navy and Army. He attended many educational courses during his younger years and was a graduate of Success Business College, Truro.
He was also a graduate of one of the world’s great institutions, the University of Life, which served him well by providing him with the negotiating skills and lobbying tactics that he utilized very skillfully in his role as Band Chief, which realized many groundbreaking economic opportunities for his community and for other First Nation Communities. Paul served several terms as a Millbrook Mi’kmaw community Band Councillor and went on to serve 28 years as the community’s Chief. Among his many outstanding accomplishments were he was the driving force behind the founding of the Millbrook Power Center, a founding chief of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, the Atlantic Policy Congress, etc.
In recognition of his economic development skills Saint Mary’s University, Nov.14, 2004, awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law Degree. Among other honours Atlantic Canada’s Business Magazine named him one of the area’s top 50 CEOs and he was named 2001 Newsmaker of the Year by the Truro Daily News.
Chief Paul was predeceased by his parents, William Gabriel Paul and Sarah Agnes Noel; a son, Shawn; brothers, Frank, John and Robert; sisters, Francis, Eileen, Sylvia, Violet Lewis and Rhoda.
He is survived by his estranged wife, Jane Markie; sons, Chief Terry Paul (Tracy), John Paul and Lance Paul; two daughters, Sharon Touchie (Dave) and Cindy Paul. He is also survived by brother, Daniel Paul; sisters, Jane Adema, Evelyn Paul, Rebecca Paolini, Rosalita Macmillan and two special foster sisters, Starlene Wysote and Violet Paul; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and dozens of nieces, nephews and god children.
Visitation will commence at the Millbrook Community Gymnasium on Saturday May 31st, at 1 p.m. A Royal Canadian Legion Tribute Service will be held on Sunday, June 1st at 6 p.m.; visitation will end at 1 p.m. on June 2nd. A funeral Mass will be conducted by Fr. Dariusz Miskowicz at 2 p.m. Monday, June 2nd in Sacred Heart Church, Millbrook, and interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. A meal will be served at the community hall following the interment.
The family extends thanks and appreciation to the medical staff of the Colchester East Hants Health Centre for the special care they provided Lawrence during his six month stay at the Institution.
Those wishing to make donations in his memory may do so to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia or to a charity of choice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Colchester Community Funeral Home, Truro where online condolences may be made at: www.ColchesterCommunity.com.
