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PAUL COUILLARD Obituary

A man loved by more people than could possibly be listed, Paul quietly passed away on the morning of November 21, 2025, at age 71, after a long battle with Lymphoma. Paul was a man of great joy, grace, enthusiasm and gratitude. Paul grew up in Edmonton, where performing with Sing Out! and Up with People were highlights. He studied at the University of Manitoba before going on to Harvard's prestigious Graduate School of Design for his architecture degree. Paul had a stellar career as a gifted architect over many years with projects in the many cities, where he resided, including Boston, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto. Living with AIDS was a challenge for Paul but thankfully, as with many other difficulties in his life, he boldly carried on, leading a truly wonderful life and doing great things. Paul was a "Wow" and "Cool" guy - a stylish dresser as evidenced by his collection of funky eyeglasses, leather outfits, and Fluevog shoes, which he would be delighted to see have moved on to good homes. Paul loved travelling in Europe and just recently visited Iceland and the Baltics. He was very keen on studying German and visiting Germany. His insightful travel photos and commentaries fill his Facebook pages. We were blessed to be able to have a Celebration of Life with Paul on November 3rd. On a pass from the hospital, he donned his favourite leather outfit and boots and visited with the many people who attended, including the western Canada and USA relatives. Another celebration of Paul's life will be held December 5th at 11 a.m. at his church home - The Church of the Redeemer on Bloor Street at the corner of Avenue Road. The restoration of Redeemer's bell tower was one of Paul's several projects at Redeemer. The bells will ring and a choir will sing during the celebration in memory of our beloved friend. He asked that we all dress or accessorize in yellow (his favourite colour) for the event. The memorial will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person: www.youtube.com/@theredeemerto or email [email protected] for more information. In lieu of flowers, Paul would welcome donations to The Church of the Redeemer or a Charity of Your Choice.

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

Published by The Globe and Mail from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for PAUL COUILLARD

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10 Entries

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

David & Sukie Amory

Planted Trees

Joni Petrica

January 10, 2026

I first met Paul & Carolyn when I found my way to Kits Community Church in Vancouver about 35+ years ago. I had the pleasure of visiting with him and Carolyn over the years before he went to live in Toronto. Paul has always been a dear and very special person to me, and I´ve so enjoyed the conversations surrounding his personal ministry, and later hearing about Paul´s life as he re-entered his profession & created his life back east. I´m amazed at all I learned you did. Many blessings to you as your spirit is welcomed in heaven.

Mario Gerbeau

December 26, 2025

Mon cher Paul, voilà que s´est arrêté ton chemin sur terre. Bien trop tôt s´il est une chose. J´ai été heureux de te connaître, même si ce fut bref, beaucoup trop bref! Tu as maintenant percé le mystère de la mort. Repose en paix mon ami.

Avec toute l´affection que je te porte.

David & Tom

December 23, 2025

Rest in peace our dear friends
He will be truly missed.

Joshua Greenfield

December 10, 2025

A truly wonderful Gentleman who showed the power of Art in how he lived. I will miss you Paul Couillard. Rest in peace.

Michael McNaught

December 6, 2025

Paul,
I hope a poet here´s me, and sending out the energy for one to respond, would create:
: a donor card for the soul

Because I have one you passed on to me Paul

I carry with me, your way of looking at a sketch, you are drawing, and say in the 3rd person .... "now that´s! ...Interesting ! , look at that!.. , as you would continue to create a gift of an architectural idea.

Enjoy your design talks in the sky Oaul: WoW , you just made it in before Robert Stern & Frank Garry joined you and the big guy.

Love Heals

mm

Elizabeth Avetissian

December 4, 2025

Paul,
Thank you for your memorable pictures of your travels. I so enjoyed your sharing of your life adventures and journeys. Your kindness, grace and style will be missed but not forgotten. May your memory be a blessing for those you loved and those who loved you. Rest in peace.

Randy F McDonald

November 30, 2025

Paul was amazing. He did so much in his years here, even under some of the most adverse circumstances imaginable, right to the very end. Paul achieved so much, personally and professionally, and did so with grace and style and a sense of fun. I had the profoundly good luck to know him for a decade, to see so much of what he did for others and himself, and for all that I saw, I know he did so much more. His striving to be and do sets an example for us all. Paul was a wonderful man, and I know that the many people on multiple continents who knew him will always keep him close to their hearts. May he rest in peace.

Brad and uli

November 28, 2025

Paul,

May you rest in peace. Here are some of the words shared to you directly last month, that capture much of the essence of you; I see a man that is remarkable, one who lives life on his terms, being true to himself, yet at the same time, is compassionate, empathetic, and caring towards those that he interacts with. A man that is unabashedly masculine, at the same time is gentle and soft. As Margret Thatcher famously said, `Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell them you are, you are not.´ The same concept is true of you. You don´t need to parade around telling everyone you´re a strong man, you just are, in the way you carry yourself, in the way you treat others, and the way you´ve faced your past experiences, and come out strong.

Thank you for sharing your life with me and uli.

Brad (and uli)

Milt & Linda Dowhaniuk

November 28, 2025

Our prayers and condolences to Paul's friends and family.

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Memorial Events
for PAUL COUILLARD

Dec

5

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m.

The Church of the Redeemer

Bloor Street at the corner of Avenue Road, ON