Paul Middleton Hollow

Paul Middleton Hollow was born in 1939 in a part of London targeted by bombing. He said he didn’t feel he had been scarred by the events of the war; but at the same time, not a day went by that he didn’t think of the fraught experiences of his early years. He became a dedicated pacifist and an atheist. He abhorred sexism, racism, and all forms of violence.

After earning his degree in Spanish at Birmingham, he taught in Spain. Then he was persuaded by his good friend Frank to emigrate to Canada. In Toronto, Paul became a counsellor at George Brown College. He played tennis. He met Mary Ann Slocombe at a gathering of an anarchist reading group. Together they translated Jose Peirats’ Anarchists in the Spanish Revolution.

Upon retirement, Mary Ann and Paul visited Newfoundland to see the Viking settlement. They fell in love with the city of St. John’s and decided it was time to leave Toronto. In 2003 they bought a wonderful house on Gower Street. Sadly, Mary Ann was soon diagnosed with Alzheimer disease. Paul was her sole caregiver for many years before her death.

Paul was a fabulous cook. He was passionate about music, especially classic jazz and Duke Ellington. He was deeply interested in history and political movements and was a voracious reader. Finally, Paul loved cats and gardening. Both gave him great joy.

In the past few years Paul’s world was brightened by an unexpected romance with his long-time friend Nancy, Frank’s widow. Paul and Nancy went back and forth between Toronto and St. John’s, travelled to British Columbia and Florida, and attended the Tuckamore Music Festival. When apart, they talked every day.

Paul was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a year ago. Having watched his brother fight and then succumb to the same disease, he elected to let things take their course and to use medical assistance in dying (MAID) when the time came. Until the last month of his life he was still enjoying his beloved big breakfasts; and in his last days he was still completing the daily cryptic crossword. Then he died, as peacefully as possible when you have so much more you’d like to do but have run out of time. He is survived by his daughter Becky Hendricks.

It cannot be said enough: St. John’s is a wonderful place. Paul and Mary Ann were welcomed with open arms, and the welcome never faded. They loved this city and the province, from the Duke of Duckworth to Fred’s Records and Georgestown Bakery to the Irish Loop Coffee House and Food for Thought, Quidi Vidi to Cape Spear and well beyond. Of course it’s not about the beer or the bagels, that hard-to-find CD or that critical spice, nor even the bone marrow (thank you Halliday’s!). It’s the wonderful people with their open arms, their art and their music, their humour, and their special brand of grace found nowhere else in the world. Thank you. Many times, thank you.

In Paul’s memory, please hug some Newfoundland medical professionals. They exemplify all that is wonderful in this place and are a true gift to the people receiving their care.