Dad passed away peacefully at the Miller Centre after a months-long battle with cancer. In his last days he was surrounded by family, with his wife at his side every day. Left to mourn are his wife Shirley of sixty years; children Bob (Heather), Donna (David Paul), Glenn (Barbara) and Wanda; grandchildren Zach, Brian, Jean, El, Michael, Jeremy, Sarah, Naomi, and Gregory; great-grandchildren Sophie, Ryker, Athena and Griffin; his sisters Emily (Felix ReMartinez), Catherine, Faith and Nina, and brother-in-law Frank Andrews; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Brigadier Cecil Patey and Effie Patey; his brothers, Cecil and Philip; parents-in-law Dorothy and Percy Figary and Stanley Anderson; sisters-in-law Marilyn and Verna.
Since childhood, Paul wanted to be a doctor. Through hard work and with the support of many who recognized his potential, he earned a BSc at MUN and an MD and MSc at McGill, and started his long medical career in Newfoundland in 1968. Family practice in the outports was his favourite, but he realized he could do more good by training doctors to do the work he loved, and so joined the MUN Faculty of Medicine. While there he filled many roles: commissioner on the Royal Commission on Hospital and Nursing Home costs; President of the Canadian College of Family Physicians; Head of the Family Practice Department of the MUN Medical Faculty; and the one he loved the most – family doctor for thousands of people.
After his ‘retirement’ in 2002 he took on many locums in rural Newfoundland, and for many years wrote a column in the MUNMED newsletter which led to his book “Try to Help Love Grow”. In 2023 the Canadian Medical Association awarded him a Honorary Life Membership.
All through his life, Paul took great joy in his family and put great effort in helping us make the best of the trials and opportunities we encountered. He enjoyed watching us all follow our different paths. He was always a great friend of God.
We will miss you greatly Dad!
Visitation to be held at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, October 26th and Sunday October 27th.
Funeral service to take place on Monday October 28th, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the S.A. Temple, Torbay Rd.
Interment to follow in Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel Way, Mt. Pearl.
In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice.
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
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Salvation Army Temple, Torbay Rd.
Interment to follow in Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel Way, Mt. Pearl
I have just learned of Paul’s passing on the CMAJ website. We had a similar educational pathway as he graduated from MUN several years before me and 1 year before me at McGill Medical School. Our paths crossed again when we were both in the Faculty of Medicine at MUN. Paul was the family doctor for both of my parents and I was so grateful for his kind and informed care. He attended the funerals of my parents and sent me a letter of condolence for each. He was a model physician.
Paul was an extraordinary man. The world would be a much better place if it had more people like him.
This is a tad late, but better than never. It may never be read, but that’s okay because this is the first time I have had the opportunity to respond. Life is not about the receiving of awards or being recognized. Life. Is about when we do things for others in the shadows and not being recognized for such doings. Such is with Dr. Patey. I was a student of his. I was a learner of him. I was inspired by him. I became a patient of him. I gave tried to emulate him over the last 42 years. I am still in his shadow. His softness , his calming , his eyes, his voice, his sincerity, resonates so deep. To you, his family, his friends, his patients, the impact of this man upon us, in whatever manner we knew him , is like a new sunrise,. He will be missed. He will be remembered. He will not forgotten. Thank you Dr. Patey ( Paul) for being you to me.
Cal
An eternity ago we sat having lunch together discussing the indignities of one’s last days in hospital. .in typical form that day he suggested we should get chest tattoos stating DO NOT PUSH HERE.
I did not know Paul long, only a few years. Having just learned of his passing I was saddened. Paul contacted me once a year to add to his stamp collection. I enjoyed his stories from days of old. I send my condolences to the family.
Dr. Patey was our family doctor 45 years ago when our son was born and for the first few years of his life until we moved away. Compassion, frankness, empathy and so many other adjectives can be used to describe him. He was an example for medical students to follow. We feel grateful for having known him
Our sincere condolences to his wife and family. May you find comfort in knowing how much love and compassion he brought to his practice and patients.
Yvonne and Leo Hodder
I knew Paul as a fellow club member in the St. John’s Philatelic Society and as a long time customer at Atlantic Stamps and Supplies. I have many fond memories of his visits when we would have conversations about a huge range of topics. Anne and I will miss him and we extend our deepest condolences to the Patey family.
Dr. Patey was our family doctor at Family Practice and he delivered our daughter. I have such fond memories of his care. Sincere condolences to the family.
My sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. Patey. He was a wonderful teacher to those of us in the Outpost Nursing Program at MUN in the late 70’s. His kindness, compassion, clinical skill and sense of fun were always evident when observing him in clinic with his patients. A wonderful role model.
Dr Patey was a wonderful physician. He cared deeply about his patients and always went the extra mile. We were blessed to have had him as our doctor for many years. He will be missed. Sincere condolences to his family.
One of those transformational moments in my thinking about family medicine occurred during a workshop that Paul gave on nurturing love in day to day family practice.. I am so grateful for that lesson and perspective that added such value to my interactions with families over the years. I have such fond memories and am so grateful to have known him. My sincerest condolences.
Paul was a wonderful teacher, colleague, and mentor to myself and many others. His wisdom, patience and kindness were unsurpassed. He will be sorely missed.
My condolences to the family
So sad to read of Dr. Patey’s passing. We have the fondest memories of his wonderful guidance and care as our first Family Practice physician in St. John’s.
A wonderful man indeed!
My condolences to the Patey family.
I worked for Dr. Patey at family practice at the Health Sciences Center for one year back over 30 years ago..
DR. Patey was such a kind, wonderful Doctor that I had the privilege to work for..
God bless.
Please accept my sincere condolences
Dr Patey was an excellent teacher and a skilled physician.
It was a pleasure to work with him at the Faculty of Medicine
Sending my deepest condolences on the loss of Uncle Paul. I have many fond memories of the time they spent in Cape Breton with my father and mother, as well as the time we spent in Newfoundland . Sending healing thoughts, prayers, and love to Paul’s family and friends. He definitely left a wonderful legacy.
So very sad to hear of Uncle Paul passing. My deepest condolences to Aunt Shirley and the rest of the family. He will always be remembered as a good man with a big heart and will truly be missed.
So sad to hear of Dr. Pateys passing. I worked with him at NCHC .whitbourne and he was my husband Dr. Beautiful. Kind soul. Loved hearing his stories. He was an inspiration to many. Deepest condolences to all his family. RIP Dr.Patey. Gene and Trudy Vokey.
My most sincere condolences to the Patey family. I hope your grief will be softened knowing that Paul was admired by many, both as a physician and as a human being,. he was a real mensch. A truly caring person. A philosopher.. Someone who will not be forgotten by those whose paths crossed with his. As a doctor it was obvious to those who saw him in action that he had a true calling. As a friend and even as an acquaintance, he made people feel that they mattered. The world is a little darker without him.
Faith and family,
Paul was a gracious and kind gentleman -and a brilliant doctor., Treasure your memories as they will console you and keep you close to Paul. Rest in peace , Paul
Bill and Trudy Bradbury
Dr. Patey would often chat at the nursing desk before retiring to the on call room (hopefully) for the night. I loved his little anecdotes and stories…he reminded me so much of my father.
After one of our chats, he took out his prescription pad, and wrote me a little note. I put it inside my locker door and reflected on it often.
A few years passed, he was back covering shifts in the ER. After our evening chat, I invited him to the locker room.
He smiled as I opened my locker and showed him I still had my “prescription”, and told him how much it meant to me.
A few years later, our lockers were moved and I was devastated to discover my little prescription was lost in the shuffle.
More years passed,. I learned he had published. I emailed him to order a copy, and mentioned my “prescription” had been lost.
I was delighted when he replied, and a few days later, I received my copy of “Try to Help Love Grow”.
I smiled as I read what he had inscribed on the front cover… after nearly 20 years, he had had renewed my prescription…
“So handle them that
Their fears are lessened,
Their hopes not shattered,
Their dignity preserved,
And their love strengthened.”
And it was signed with his familiar stamp and signature.
My condolences to the family. He really was one of the best.
I was saddened to hear of Dr. Patey’s passing. He was such a kind, caring, knowledgable Physician, respected by his peers, patients and all who knew him.. I also had the pleasure of working with him and also as a personal friend for his entire working career. To the Patey family my sincere condolences. My prayers and thoughts are with you during those difficult days.
Good evening Shirley and family.. please accept my condolences on the loss of your beloved Paul. He who was large as life made everyone feel welcomed. I will always treasure my time with your family and thankful for knowing all of you.
Sincerely,
Frank Boland
Shirley my condolences to you and your family on Paul’s passing. Paul and I were students at Memorial many years ago. We reconnected this summer and I had the good fortune to seek and receive his advice on the challenges facing one of my children. He brought great insight and compassion to our discussions and I was hoping to continue them.. He left a great legacy of service and compassion before his promotion to Glory.
David Vardy
I first met Paul in the sixties as a McGill medical student during his pediatric rotation at the Montreal Children’s Hospital where I trained.. We shared the care of an infant with acute medically complex course. Inevitably we would reminisce about it, including just few weeks ago..
As a student at McGill he had taken time out to do significant basic sciences research. He possessed a bright mind with a wealth of broad medical knowledge and expertise, as well as a sharp clinical acumen. He expressed genuine warmth and deep empathy toward his patients from the young t0 the old. His heroic life saving intervention in 2010 stands out as a miraculous feat. His book titled
“Try to help love grow” should be read by every medical student. Paul, you have left your mark.
you are going to be missed and long remembered .
Sincere condolences to Shirley, children and grandchildren, from Julia and I
I work for a medical organization and Dr. Patey reached out to me last year to help him share and spread the word to medical students the wonderful messages in his book. I did indeed share it with medical students across Canada…and it’s a truly a lovely book. What struck me was how kind and gentle and just what an overall wonderful person he seemed to be. Those interactions really stuck with me because of this. And this was only after a telephone conversation and an email or two. Today, a family member saw the book and happened to put it on the table. I remember thinking, “i wonder what this gentle hearted soul is doing now” and checked him up on google only to find he had passed away a few days ago. I want to give my heartfelt condolences to Dr. Patey’s family, friends and all who knew him personally. He was truly a wonderful man and he clearly left an amazing mark on this world and the community that he helped.
Our sincere condolences to your family.
Lamont has known Paul since their time together at McGill, and continued a wonderful friendship through the years..
To think that he called days before his passing to see how Lamonts health was shows what a wonderful caring person was..
We have lost a great man..
May all your memories help you through the coming days.
Shirley , Bob, Donna, Glenn and Wanda; our hearts are deeply saddened to hear of Pauls’ passing. We have no words to express the sorrow we feel for you all. We know how important he was to everyone that loved him and he will indeed be missed greatly. I will be forever grateful for his love and support and being there for me on my wedding day as my “surrogate dad” when my dad was too ill to make it. Paul had a very special place in our hearts and we send our love, hugs and prayers. May his smile and the compassion he gave everyone in his life help you to go on in the sad days ahead. I will be forever grateful he was an important part of our lives. Love Carl & Marilyn
We are so sad to hear about Dr. Patey! He was a wonderful man and I enjoyed working with him and chatting with him about his family and medical adventures! Our sincere condolences to Mrs. Patey and the family! We are out of the country so will not be able to pay our respects in person, but will be thinking about the family as you go through this difficult time.
Linda and Phil Kirby
Condolences to the family. He was a great doctor.
So sorry to hear of Dr. Patey’s passing , He was the Doctor that saved our Grandson on July 16,2010 when we took him to the Newhook Clinic in Whitbourne. So kind & caring to both of us that dreadful day . Condolences to his wife & family .
We are so very saddened to see the passing of such a great man. Dr. Patey was an angel on earth Back in 2010 while filling in at the Newhook medical clinic in whitbourne he saved our son Taylor’s life We will forever be grateful he was there that day. He holds a special place in our families hearts forever. May he rest in peace
Sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. Our sincere condolences to Shirley ad te family.
I am saddened to hear of Dr. Patey’s passing. I worked with Dr. Patey at the Discipline of Family Medicine some years back. He was such a kind, caring and humble man who was well respected by all who knew him. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him and feel fortunate and blessed to have known such a wonderful man. My deepest condolences to all his family during this very sad and difficult time. May your fond and loving memories give you strength in your time of sorrow.
Donna and family,
On behalf of all the management and Staff of Dominion Cabot Square we would like to extend our deepest sympathies on the passing of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this extremely difficult time.
Saddened to learn of Dr Paul Patey’s passing.
Our deepest condolences to the family.
May he rest in Peace
To Dr Pateys family
My very deepest condolences on his passing. I was fortunate to have known Dr Patey for many years. First when he cared for both my mother and grandmother and then many years later when i worked at the veterans pavillion.
Dr Patey was kind and caring to everyone.My memories of him will always bring a smile.
He has really left his mark as he gave so much of himself to his community .Rest in peace Dr Patey. He has made a positive difference to so many
Dear Faith and all of her family,
So sorry for the loss of your dear brother,Paul. Thinking of you all. May your fond memories help you during this time
Sincerely,
Lori & Werner van der Velden
Halifax,NS
I am so sorry to learn of Dr. Patey’s illness and subsequent death . I knew him from working at the W.H. Newhook Community Health Center , Whitbourne. when he worked there . Paul was a friend to all . He loved life , and was always ready to hear or to tell a story .. He loved his patients , and equally, ,, his work colleagues.. it was a privilege. And a pleasure to work with this fine gentleman. . . He certainly won a place in our hearts. .
Please accept my sincere condolences to his wife and family and extended families and so many friends.
His legacy will certainly live on in the hearts of all who knew him. May he rest in eternal peace and the love of God . 🙏💖💕💕💕🙏
Aunt Shirley, Bob, Donna, Glenn, Wanda and families – I was so saddened to hear of Uncle Paul’s death. I know it’s been tough the last few months, but I’m so very glad I was able to chat with him a few weeks ago. He was always so very kind.
Hugs to everyone,
Andrea
Sending condolences to the family of Dr Patey.. He taught me years ago and later we worked together. He was a wonderful human. and a great doctor .He left the world a better place.
To Emily and Paul’s family
Sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. May your good memories help you in your time of sorrow. May he rest in peace. God bless.
Bernice (Driscoll) and Clyde Reynolds
I’m so sorry for your loss. Dr Patey was such a special person . A great doctor and a very special teacher. Biggest hugs to his family.
I had the great pleasure of working with Dr. Patey. He was an amazing kind doctor as well as just being an amazing human. He left a lasting mark on my life and he will never be forgotten. Rest easy Dr. Patey.
Shirley & family.Saddened to hear of Dr Patey’s passing. We have lasting memories of him . My Mom & Dad loved when you all came for a cooked meal ( Ron & Frances Sturge) I also had the privilege of working with him at Brookfield. Hospital. He was one of the best.Our paths crossed occasionally for many years & it was always wonderful to see him. Our sincere condolences Shirley to you and all the family. Rip Dr. Patey Memories are precious.. Hector & Doris (Sturge) Kean Wesleyville.
To Shirley and family
So sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. He was a great Dr. to my late husband John and to my family. He never hesitated to make a home visit whenever I called him.. you were both good friends to John and I. Take care shirley and pass along my condolences to all your family🙏
I am so sad to hear of Dr. Patey’s passing. We had a wonderful chat on the phone in May, and for that I am grateful. I’ve had so much respect for Dr. Patey in all my years working for/with him and the ensuing years. He made the world a better place. My condolences to all the family, especially Shirley, during this difficult time. He was very proud of his family and talked about you all often.
Tô the Patey Family.
our sincere condolences to the family, our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Dr, Patey born my twins boys 56 yrs ago it was a joy for him & us his first twins he born.. RIP you were a treasure ❣️
judy & Alf Gaulton
Brookfield, NL
One of the most devoted doctors I have ever known…he was my family dr. for a short while,and delivered my third son….I will never forget his caring and expertise….rest in peace….my condolences to his family….
To Shirley and family.
Linda and I did not have the privilege of meeting you but we certainly knew Paul well in a variety of contexts. When we lived in St. John’s, he was our family doctor and delivered our first three children. I remember his advice to me at the birth of our daughter – “The best thing you can do for this child is to love her mother.” This typified the wisdom and warmth he shared with all those he touched. When we both entered a life in the medical profession, we encountered him repeatedly and looked up to him as a role model. We prayed for him during his illness and now we pray for you all as you reflect on what God would want to teach us through Paul’s rich life.
A life very well lived, indeed.
My sympathies to all. I’m sure his absence will be deeply felt.
Sincere Condolences to Dr. Patey’s Family and Friends. I knew Dr. Patey from his working days in Placentia. Salt of the Earth. May He Rest in Peace.