Adieu, Paul Priest

E

El and Bill

New member
Fond Farewell, good friend. Just heard from another good C-Brat friend that Paul has left us. Verla is in a care facility so will be cared for.

Bon Voyage, Paul. We shared good times together with our many C-Dory friends.
 
One day about 8 years ago, I received an email from some folks from Denver area, “Hi, We just bought a C-Dory 22 Cruiser from Les at EQ Marine on Whidbey Island and are looking for a place to buy in Sequim. Wonder if you know anything about (and he gave the address) or the area? Is it a good neighborhood?” It was my street, my end of town and the number was close. I stepped out front and counted down the houses across the street. Three. I went back and replied that the neighborhood was great but one of his neighbors might be a bit off. He has a C-Dory parked in his back yard. From there on we became good friends, and spent many hours cruising side by side, talking boats, cruise destinations and plans and working on the boats together. He was an incredible craftsman.

Paul and Verla came here from Cedaredge, Lakewood, and the Denver area. They spent most of their lives in Colorado, canoeing, hiking and traveling in a little "Tiger" RV with one of their series of "rescue" Golden Retrievers. He was a general aviation pilot for many years, and because he had flown single engine aircraft, (SuperCub and then a 182) he insisted that his boat did not need a kicker. “Just take care of it and it will take care of you” reasoning.

Paul sold the JC Lately a few years back now, but still always enjoyed talking boats and cruises. The took a cruise to Alaska on the Pacific Catalyst after they sold the boat. It was always his dream to go from here to Juneau on the water and they loved this small ship cruise.

JC Lately westbound in Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Mountains in the background.
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He will be missed.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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So sad for Verla and I hope the memories of their life shared so fully will keep her company and comfortable for years to come. She is, as he said in a caption to one of his pictures, "The First (only) Mate".

Thank you El and Bill for letting us know and thank you Harvey for the wonderful words.

Mike
 
So sad to hear. It seems such a short time time ago, that Paul & Verla stopped for the night at our place in 2009, which was not long after the purchase of their 22CD. A fun & enjoyable evening was spent with them doing much sharing of past experiences & future plans. They being avid bird watchers, were very happy to see our resident pair of great horned owls looking down at them just out our back door & only about 20 feet up in a big fir tree. Life at it's longest for all of us streams by so quick.
 
I had been looking for Paul"s album and for this photo of them at the dock at John Wayne Marina, Sequim, WA.

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I was finally able to get in touch with another friend of theirs in Port Townsend who also owned a C-Dory. Seems he might have been the one who first introduced them to the brand.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Just shy of 2 years since Paul passed away. Today, I spent some time this morning with their sons, and a daughter-in-law out at a local beach. It was near high tide, but there was enough beach to spread their Mom's ashes. Verla passed away last month, and I was invited to share some time with them today. The sons were here here for a a short time, flying home today, but we had some time to share some good memories. Paul and Verla were good folks, fun loving and adventurous. Canoeing, flying, skiing, camping and RVing, and even on the C-Dory. They were great friends, and we have good memories.

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Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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At one of the Sequim rendezvous I did some rookie move with the boat and later Paul gently and discretely offered some good advice that I follow still.
I liked Verla too.
God speed.
 
Harvey, Thank you. We enjoyed the few times we had dinner with them, or visited in their home. They were wonderful folks! Life is short! Live it well.
 
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