PAUL JOSEPH CARTEN
Died peacefully Tuesday evening November 10, 2009 following a sudden heart attack. Paul was 88 years old. He is survived by his beloved wife Janet, his children Michael, John, Angus, Thomas, Ronald and Peter, his grandchildren Tara, Elizabeth, David, Sarah, Jocelyn and Patrick, and his great grandchildren Alexander, Victoria, Eleanor and Jackson. He is predeceased by his daughter Mary Teresa who died tragically in 1996.
Paul was born June 10, 1921 in Montreal, QC. Growing up in Westmount, QC he attended St. Leo's Academy and Loyola High School and Loyola College before enlisting to serve with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders as a lieutenant. Wounded in action near Caen, France, Paul returned to Canada to marry Janet Kennedy, who would become the love of his life for almost 65 years and to complete his studies graduating from McGill University with a B. Comm. in 1947.
Janet and Paul raised their family in Beaconsfield, QC, outside Montreal, before moving to Vancouver, BC in the mid-1970's. Paul was a man of deep faith and he and Janet were active members of the Catholic community, especially the Jesuit community to which Paul remained devoted throughout his life. They are remembered for their work in establishing St. Edmund of Canterbury Parish in Beaconsfield. After Paul and Janet moved to Vancouver they continued to practice their faith in the progressive and welcoming community of St. Ignatius and St. Marks at UBC.
Paul spent most of his career in the life insurance industry with Imperial Life where he was the consummate professional committed to his clients.
Most will remember Paul for his love of ideas and debate. He was a voracious reader and was well versed on a wide and eclectic range of subjects and he especially enjoyed lively debate with his children on either side of the argument. He was committed to learning and to serving the community he lived in. During his retirement, Paul earned a B.A. in History with Honours at Simon Fraser University in 1986 and committed himself as a volunteer instructor in English as a second language program for immigrants in Vancouver for many years.
Paul will be missed by all who knew him. He remained true to his principles.
''...as for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed: the time is here for me to leave this life. I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, I have kept the faith. And now the prize of victory is waiting for me, the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me that Day – and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear...''
A funeral mass is being held among the community of St. Ignatius Parish at St. Marks Chapel on UBC Campus 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2009.