Paul T. Page

Paul T. Page, 63, of East Providence, passed away peacefully at home on September 1st. Paul was devoted to his family, his trade, and the many people whose lives he touched with his humor, generosity, and love.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Mitzi, and their three sons, Matt, Kyle, and Evan. He also leaves behind his sisters Diane and Cheryl, his brothers Bobby, Kevin, and Keith and his large extended family who adored him. He was the son of the late Margery Lopes.

A proud and skilled member of the Painters and Allied Trades Local 195, Paul was an expert drywall finisher who dedicated his career to his craft. He grew up in East Providence and built his life there, giving to the community not only through his work but through the countless relationships he nurtured with family and friends. Paul spent his summers with his family in Buttonwoods, where he proudly served as the BCA security-a self-appointed role he took very seriously, complete with custom baseball hats for the few lucky enough to be recruited "onto the force".

Paul was known for his sharp wit, incredible command of history, and endless sense of humor. He loved to joke, to laugh, and to make others laugh. His outrageous gift for silliness made him the center of many gatherings. His son Evan carries on that same spirit, inheriting his father's humor and playfulness, with the same remarkable ability to make everyone around him fall apart with laughter.

Fiercely loyal to those he loved, Paul showed up for his family and friends in every way he knew how. In the absence of a loving father in his own life, Paul aimed to show up not only for his children, but for his nieces, nephews and friends, pouring attention, love and spontaneity into those relationships. He loved being a father. He loved being an uncle and a mentor.

Paul had many passions. He was a self-taught and talented cook; being invited to one of his meals was considered a privilege among family and friends. He loved sharing food by the fire in his living room and cherished his dinner dates with Mitzi, whether at Bob and Timmy's, Café Nuovo, or over one of his home-cooked meals, many of which were recipes stolen from family members that he then called his own. He filled a recipe book with Paul's Chicken Francese, Paul's Famous Chili, and the list goes on. His enthusiasm for the things he loved was contagious.

A fierce competitor, Paul was proud to call himself the master of many things. A true athlete and strategist, he also played baseball and softball throughout his youth and adulthood, passing on his love of the game to his sons. He took joy in teaching them the fundamentals, like the time he taught Kyle to hit a pop fly over the street wires at just three years old. His sons, nieces and nephews fondly remember his chess lessons and games; he was impossible to beat. He passed that skill on to his son Matt, teaching him the strategies and discipline of the game until Matt too became a master in his own right. Paul loved to brag that his kids were the best at everything, and in his eyes, they were.

Paul's family and friends will remember him most for his humor, his thoughtfulness, his ability to challenge others to think for themselves, and above all, the tremendous love he gave so freely. His presence was a gift that will be sorely missed but fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Burial will be private. Calling hours are respectfully omitted.