Obituary of Paul Clayton Wesley, C.D.

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Paul Clayton Wesley, C.D., passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on December 12, 2024, at the age of 87.

Born on April 22, 1937, in Ottawa, Ontario, Paul was the beloved son of Charles Clayton Wesley and Alice Rita Wesley (née Pauzé).

As a boy growing up in Ottawa, Paul’s favourite pastime was spending Saturdays at the local cinema with his friends. With just 15 cents in his pocket, he could watch cartoons and movies all day, losing himself in the magic of the big screen. Always eager to help, he earned that pocket money by delivering prescriptions on his bicycle for the neighbourhood pharmacist.

When he was old enough, Paul worked at the snack bar of the local drive-in theatre, always returning home with a treat for his younger siblings—a gesture that reflected his thoughtful and generous nature. His love of movies stayed with him throughout his life. Paul would watch anything from start to finish, whether it was a masterpiece or a misfire, even if he joined halfway through, or saw it several times over.

At the age of 16, when his parents went abroad to serve at the Canadian High Commission in Hong Kong, Paul embarked on a distinguished 42-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces, beginning with a special college program for Ordinances in Longueuil, Québec. Throughout his career in Logistics, Paul earned a reputation as a resourceful and dependable soldier. Among his most cherished assignments were his early posting along the Alaska Highway, where he was the DJ at the base radio station, and two United Nations peacekeeping tours to Cyprus in the 1960s and 1970s. Paul’s exceptional resourcefulness was legendary within the Armed Forces and among allied peacekeeping forces as well, often summed up by the phrase, “If Wesley can’t find it, they don’t make it.”

His service took him across the globe, including two Air Force missions circumnavigating the world, visiting over 20 countries back-to-back. After several postings in Canada and Germany, Paul found a long-term home at C.F.B. Gagetown, where he served from 1967 until his retirement. It was during an evening out in Fredericton that same year when he met his wife, Vera. They were married for 56 years.

Beyond his career, Paul was an inquisitive and multifaceted individual who embraced lifelong learning. As a young man, he played the clarinet and became an accomplished curler. He had a talent for woodworking, often using reclaimed materials, and took pride in staying current with technology. Paul was also an avid photographer, a dedicated do-it-yourselfer before DIY was a trend, and a lover of spy novels.

He found joy and fulfillment in his family life, traveling with his wife and children in a van with a trailer in tow, and was a for-life member of the MickMack Trailer Club. Paul took immense pride in the cottage he built with friends at Lake George, New Brunswick, and in the little fruit orchard he cultivated at their winter retirement home in Dade City, Florida. He had a remarkable ability to connect with others, brighten their days, and exuded a contagious happiness throughout his life.

As a devoted father, Paul was the ultimate organizer of fun for his children, bringing boundless enthusiasm to every adventure. Even as his children entered adulthood, he remained a steadfast presence, always ready to tackle tricky home repairs or renovations and offer his support. Whether lending a hand or encouraging their independence, Paul was a constant source of unconditional love.

As a loving husband, Paul was an equal partner in every sense. He shared in all domestic responsibilities without hesitation and deeply respected the independence and accomplishments of his wife as a working professional and mother. Together, they exemplified the values of equality, partnership, and mutual respect in a modern marriage, building a life rooted in teamwork and shared purpose.

Paul is survived by his loving wife Vera Irene Wesley (née Parker); his children, Susan Denyse Burns Williams (Trent) of London, Ontario, and Robert Allan Burns Wesley (Deborah) of Ripton, Vermont; Chet Andrew Wesley of Fredericton, New

Brunswick; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister, Denyse Mouck (Jim) of Belleville, Ontario, and brother Dennis Wesley (Madeleine) of Ottawa, Ontario. Paul was predeceased by his brother Ronald Wesley of Courtenay, British Columbia.

A Celebration of Life will be held from York Funeral Home's T. Gordon MacLeod Memorial Chapel, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, New Brunswick on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 2 pm with a Reception to follow in the Fireside Room. Interment will take place in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery at a later date. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the IWK Foundation or to the charity of the donor's choice. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com

Paul’s legacy of kindness, resourcefulness, and joy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. A father, brother, and friend to so many, Paul left this world with the same peace and painless grace that defined his life.

We will listen for him in the silence.