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Paul Bordeaux Obituary

PAUL RUSSELL BORDEAUX Paul Russell Bordeaux, age 59, of Wilmington, NC, passed away after a long battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis on October 21, 2014. He was surrounded and comforted by his family until his passing at New Hanover Regional Memorial Hospital. He was born in Wilmington, NC, on September 29, 1955, as the son of the late Harlee E. Bordeaux Sr. and Angel M. Bordeaux and was the second of three children. Paul served and fought bravely for his country with the United States Navy for over twenty years. He was honorably discharged on October 31, 1994 with the rank of QuarterMaster E-6 from the USS Hawes in Charleston, SC. Throughout his career he was decorated with medals, badges, and ribbons including three Battle 'E' Ribbons, two Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbons, Navy Pistol Expert Medal, Navy Rifle Expert Medal, two US Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbons, two Overseas Service Ribbons, Navy Achievement Medal, two Sea Service Ribbons, Marksman Ribbon, and a National Defense Ribbon. He received two Letters of Appreciation for US Naval Activity in the United Kingdom and Commanding Officer Special Boat Unit. He received multiple Citations from the Commander in Chief US Naval Forces in Europe, Commanding Officer with the USS Connole, and Commander Special Boat Squadron along with Letter of Commendations from the Commanding Officer with Naval Special Warfare, and Commander of Naval Reserve Forces. He also received the Sailor of the Year Award from the Commanding Officer of the Special Boat Unit. He was very proud to be US Navy and dedicated his life to his country. With his love for education, Paul attended and graduated from the University of New Orleans in New Orleans, LA. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies with a minor in Women's History. He dedicated many years to teaching middle and high school students in both Louisiana and North Carolina along with coaching middle school football, volleyball and adult softball. He was a proud UNO Privateer with the National Alumni Association. Later he accepted a position with the Veterans Clinic in Wilmington, NC where he could serve his fellow veterans. Paul loved his family, friends, riding buddies, and Mocha. He enjoyed the freedom of the road on his motorcycle, traveling to the North Carolina Mountains and the beauty of the crashing waves on the beach. He will be sincerely missed by all. He is survived by his fiance, Kimberly B. Dickens of Castle Hayne, NC; his mother, Angel M. Bordeaux of Wilmington, NC; his brother, Harlee E. Bordeaux, Jr. and wife Debra of Shallotte, NC, his sister, Angel M. Bordeaux of Wilmington, NC; his Godchild and niece, Kristy Marshburn and husband Gene Paul; niece, Jennifer Helms and husband Ted; nephew, Patrick Bordeaux and family friend, Becki.Heffner Visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service. Funeral Mass will be held at 10am on Monday, October 27, 2014 at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service with Father Bob Kus officiating. Interment will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens with Full Military Honors. The Staff of Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Paul Russell Bordeaux.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Wilmington Star-News from Oct. 23 to Oct. 24, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Bordeaux

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Linda Frontauria

October 17, 2024

Love you Angel. Think of you all a lot.

Ken Holland

October 18, 2019

It's hard to believe that it's been five years since Paul's passing. Paul was a kind and considerate person. He was, in the best sense of the word, eccentric. Enigmatic as well, in some ways. A great all-around guy that I'll always remember. Sail on in Paradise, my friend.

Sandy Holland

October 9, 2015

I am sorry for your loss.

Ken Holland

October 9, 2015

As the first anniversary of Paul's passing approaches, I wanted to share a few things about Paul. I worked in his classroom at Virgo, as an ESL teacher for some of his students. He was always so kind to his students, quick to help them through encouragement and helping them to find the right answers themselves, which is the best way to teach. In turn, his students seemed to genuinely love him, which is a real accomplishment when teaching middle school students. While the kids were working on things, Paul and I would sometimes "play hookey" and talk about all kinds of things. He was so warm, friendly, knowledgeable and personable, and yet despite his own knowledge he made me feel like I was the smartest guy in the world. Paul had a wonderful accent, and although he told me he was a local boy, his love of all things New Orleans was evident. I was so intrigued by his tattoos and personal jewelry. When asked, he would kind of wink and hint at some mysterious, voodoo/creole kind of connections and then laugh about it. I knew that whatever the meaning and symbolism of his personal adornments, he did not have an unkind bone in his body. Paul told me about his girlfriend and what a great gal she was. He also told me about his illness--his pulmonary fibrosis--and told me it would kill him. He did not show any self-pity. Rather, he said he was trusting his doctor and his plan was to battle the illness as much and as long as he could, and to live his remaining life to the fullest. I was very sad to learn of Paul's passing and have had his obituary in my daily devotional for nearly the last year. Many times I have meant to write these few words, but I never got around to it. I think the sudden passing of both of my parents have made me realize how fragile and uncertain and brief our lives really are. I think Paul enjoyed his life as fully as anyone I know and I will miss his warm smile, wonderful laugh and one-of-a-kind personality. Be well, Paul. I have no doubt that you are even now visiting down here on Earth from time to time from the Elysian Fields.

Nikolaos Bouboulis

January 20, 2015

To my Navy Brother Im saddened ti hear the news of your passing today.
I will sorely miss you my brother.
Thanks for the lessons of life the laughter and especially the friendship weve shared.
May God rest your soul and ill see you on the ither side.
Firever your friend Niko Bouboulis

October 29, 2014

My condolences. May the wonderful memories of him sustain you until God's promises are fulfilled.
John 6:40

Joy Callender

October 28, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss.

James Shulfer

October 27, 2014

Paul was one of a kind. The Wilmington VA will not be the same without him.

fay flack

October 25, 2014

Angel I am sorry for your loss,I know time heals all things but not completely,he will forever be in your heart.

October 25, 2014

We will miss seeing Paul's smiling face when we come to the VA Clinic. It was always a pleasure to have him help us. Thank you for your service and for being a friend.
Linda and Dominick Frontauria

Melissa Ruhl

October 25, 2014

My sincerest & deepest sympathies go out to the entire family, and in particular, to his fiance, Kim, on the passing of this wonderful man.

Melissa Robinson

October 24, 2014

Paul was always so polite and quick to be sweet. I never once felt disrespected or judged from him.. he always made me feel special. I thank God he was put in my sister's life and was very proud to say that he was going to be my brother-in-law. I pray that he is now at peace and that he carried with him in his soul that he was very loved and will be very missed. God Bless you Paul Bordeaux.

Mike Neely

October 24, 2014

I proudly served with Paul at Special Boat Unit Twenty Two in New Orleans. He was a great sailor and trusted navigator. Paul made a trip with me in 1990 to take an old, slow landing craft from Moorhead city to New Orleans. He was my right hand man on the trip. We made a few other trips out of country together and Paul was always willing to go. I was from Wilmington also and Paul and I discovered we ran in the same pack when we were young teen-agers.
A great guy who will be sorely missed.
LCDR Mike Neely, USN (Ret).

Chrissy Sanford

October 23, 2014

Paul was such an asset to the VA clinic and truly believed in the Veterans. He was a great man and I will miss him. I am blessed to have met him.

Jennifer Helms

October 23, 2014

I love you Uncle Paul!! Always

Carol Hardy

October 23, 2014

I want to thank Paul for the kindness that he provided when I first moved back to North Carolina from Louisiana. When I started to get a little home sick for some great Louisiand food, Paul and I could always talk about crawfish, boudin and some good old jambalaya. I thank him now for his service to the United States Navy. Rest on Paul, your pain and struggle are over.

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