Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen!
I’m Wei Xue, my welcome to all of you.
On behalf of Paul’s family both here and abroad, I am both privileged and honored to be part of this very special moment, honoring this very extraordinary man.
Today we are here to celebrate and commemorate the life of our dear friend Paul.
Paul was a man that brought joy and friendship into my life. His ability to look beyond anyone’s shortcomings was in my opinion one of Paul’s best gifts to all of us. Paul could make everyone; (including me) feel important and could bring a spirit of cheeriness into a room, even on the worst of days. That was just Paul’s way.
Paul was a man that is not dictated by other people’s opinion. He valued a person on their own merit, actions, and contributions and formed his own opinions. Paul was not controlled by the preferences or the negative words of another. Paul always had the way to find the good in someone and then using his positive ways to build them up. I know this for a fact, because this is how Paul treated me, always pushing me to succeed, always helping me find my way, when others sometimes were not be so kind and I did not feel so deserving. That was just Paul’s way.
Our friend Paul was a wise scholar and dedicated his life to teaching people the knowledge he obtained through his years of studies and life experiences. Paul understood so many technologies and what it could mean to a local society and others around the world. He spent his life teaching his students how to take the practices and principles he knew so well, to better themselves and those they would touch. That was just Paul’s way.
As anyone in this room knows, Paul loved his mother, sisters and friends. He would always take the time to let them know how important they were to him. We all saw the way he treated others. I know Paul was often called upon to provide guidance to so many, and would give advice happily, but Paul would do this without imposing his interpretation or opinion, but allowing that person (sometimes me) to find their own answers. That was just Paul’s way.
Paul enjoyed supporting the community and was always accommodating to all of us who asked. It didn’t matter whether it was being part of a committee meeting or simply being at a party, singing karaoke, taking pictures, having a good laugh and making everyone feel at home. Paul simply had a way of making people feel comfortable and welcomed. That was just Paul’s way.
This is a somber time…. A time to reflex on a special person, a son, a husband, a brother, a friend…
I hope today, this moment, brings peace to those who will miss our friend, our Paul so deeply.
For this is the celebration of a man with a big heart and a great soul.
As all of us spending this time together, let’s be heard as one voice, let’s remember Paul and know each and every one of us have been blessed by having him in our life. I’m sure we will all continue to feel a multiple of emotions about our significant loss of this good man.
BUT I know Paul would want us to support each other during this time together today, I’m sure Paul would want us to use this time to hug and comfort each other, and be there for an old or a new friend letting them know they’re always loved and you are with them at a time like today. Because, that was just Paul’s way.