Paul D. "English Paul" Spanton

Paul Spanton Obituary

SPANTON
PAUL D. 'ENGLISH PAUL" born Whitstable Kent, England of Manayunk on Nov. 4, 2006 age 52. Beloved husband of Karen A. (nee Guarino); loving son of P. Dianne and the late James H. Spanton of England; dear brother of Ross Spanton of England. Paul was a teacher of music and a avid bass player. He also restored classic motorcycles. Relatives and friends are invited to his Memorial Service Friday evening 6 - 8 PM at VINCENT GANGEMI FUNERAL HOME, INC., Broad and Wolf Sts. (Add'l eve parking ROTA Bldg. lot, 2304 S. Broad St.) In Paul's memory please consider being an Organ Donor. Please omit flowers. The family request donations in his memory to Further the Music Education of Children, c/o Special Fund Account for Paul Spanton TD Banknorth, N.A. 4312 Main Street, Phila., PA 19127.

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Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News on Nov. 8, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Spanton

7 Entries

Gail and Gene Vaccaro

November 9, 2006

Karen, we were so sorry to hear of your loss.
Though we never met Paul, we know how much he will be missed by you and all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You are welcome to come visit any time.
Love, Gail and Gene

Rick Reynolds

November 9, 2006

Dearest Karen,

When I got your call about Paul I was in shock not knowing that he was ill.

I was also struck with a flood of wonderful memories of our times together.

From our first meeting, Paul (BP for "Big Paul") was one of my closest friends. Not only did we play music together, we also shared our love of motorcycles, good times and laughs.

I will always remember our Christmas together and although my moving from the area caused us not to see each other in many years, we never had to get reaquainted. We spoke a couple times a year and it was always like I had just been with you yesterday. That's how old friends are.

Paul lives on in my heart and in my thoughts. I hope he saves room in the band for me when I get there!

Love Rick

John Kelly

November 9, 2006

Dear Karen,
My son studies music at Napoli and when he has a lesson I wait there for him. During that time a red headed guy, who was a teacher with a free time slot, would wander out to the waiting room. It was Paul of course. We began chatting during these times and I realized that, even as a man in my fifties, I could learn a lot from him.

I began bass lessons with him and I learned a tremendous amount in the relatively short time before he had to stop teaching. We had a great rapport and I quickly came to understand that he was not just a teacher but also a friend. I’d bet all his students felt this way too. He taught me about Neils Henning-Orstead Peterson, Jimmy Blanton, John Paul Jones. He meticulously wrote out their bass parts. How he was able to do that I’ll never know because they’re complicated! We also talked about restoring his upright bass, finding his Stewart guitar and other things we found we had in common.

I’ll miss Paul, as will many, many other people who were also lucky enough to know him. I’m really sorry for your losing him. One consolation you may have though is that you were most fortunate to be so close to him.
-John Kelly (from the Mermaid)

Elena Covone

November 9, 2006

Dear Karen,

I am so sorry. I spoke with your dad today (Wednesday). Dad sounds great. Please know that I am here for you any time, day or night. I pray that God gives you strength as I know he will.

Paul's British accent was such a delight. Plus he was cute as a button. I will keep you and Paul in my prayers. Adrianna and I will see you this Friday.

I love you,

Elena

Bob H

November 8, 2006

Dear Karen, I want to express my condolences. I was a student of Paul's for about 2 years in 2004 and 2005. He was a great teacher and a great person. He always had a story to tell and some new thing to teach me on the guitar or bass and never seemed to concerned about the time. I was very sorry to have lost contact with him when he stopped teaching. I enjoyed my weekly lessons with him very much and will think of him whenever I pick up my guitar.

Colin Powell

November 8, 2006

Dear Karen,

Hello. You probably don't know me but Paul was a good friend of mine. He was an inspiring person and a very, very kind man. He taught me how to play the bass and I still remember his teachings today. He taught me for 2 and a half very informative years until he left on illness. I never quite had a teacher like Paul. No other teacher could compare. He wanted to see in a band one day and believe or not I am in one today. I know that he would be proud. He taught me somany things and I will never forget anything that he taught me.

Sincerly,

Colin Powell

November 8, 2006

Karen, This is Kelly from NAPOLI MUSIC SCHOOL. I was so very sorry to hear about your loss along with other teachers and students here at the school. Paul was a wonderful person and teacher and always brightened up our days with his always insightful conversation and great talent. His students loved him and he will be missed. You will be glad to know that I am an organ donor and believe everyone should be. Let's hope Paul's cause inspires others to be organ donors and also brings music into children's lives. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Take Care, Kelly Boyle at NAPOLI SCHOOL

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