Paul McSTAY Obituary

Paul would have been so proud of all of you today.

We could feel your love and admiration for him through your incredible words and memories. What a fitting tribute to such an amazing man.

Sending our love and strength to you all.

Travel well, Paul.

What can one say when I have known the amazing McStay family for 52 years and married to Bryan for 49 yrs!
Paul was always happy and we were blessed when both Paul and Jan spent their early married years in Caulfield South and had the pleasure to be present when Katie was born .
I never recall Paul been angry when I often saw him with the family, his sense of humour was amazing, his thirst for fun and adventure never wavered and his love of family and friends was forever true!
Paul worked hard and made true friends so easily, his sense of humour always made me smile and when Bryan and I were fortunate to stay with both Jan and Paul, their hospitality was so greatly appreciated. It was an absolute pleasure to be present at Peter and Marlene home late last year for a McStay getogether! The Hawaiian theme was a sure recipe for a family reunion and a great chance for his children,brothers, sisters, partners,nieces and nephews etc to cement our love of having a getogether.
Paul was going to stay with us for four nights in Brisbane the day after he suddenly passed. Such a shock for us all and particularly Katie , Brendon, Sam and Tim and his family!
Our hearts are filled with amazing memories over many years. We will miss his cheerful calls, visits and his thirst for adventure and tales of his exploits on bikes, holidays etc
Paul lived life to the full, made so many friends and tomorrow he will be saluted as a truely wonderful husband, brother , dad, uncle and a friend to many!
Farewell Paul, we as family are so blessed to have had you in our lives.
Rest in peace Paul, never forgotten and what wonderful memories Katie,Brendon,Sam and Tim and their partners and grandchildren can recall forever more.
Sleep peacefully,your adventures in life were admired by us all.
Bryan and Trish

Dear Katie, Paul, Brendon, Prue, Sam, Briony, Tim & Ollie, Jan and the little ones. ( & not so little too!)
We've been thinking of you all over the past weeks and your heartbreak and devestation in losing Paul. Such a wonderful man, father, uncle, grandfather and friend. Always a joke, a trick and a prank - such a wicked sense of humour and that smile that just welcomed you in. My youngest memories was of Paul and Geof and back yard cricket, beers and BBQs. His advocacy for human rights and equity for all as he joined others in the Aparthied protests. His generosity as he and Jan gave us their house at 417 for 3 months and moved into a caravan at Cath & Geofs! (Although that may also have part of the backyard cricket, beers and BBQs!) Paul and Jan always had an open door, a cup of tea and some cake or biscuits - always. Their home was truly yours when you visited be it just for an hour - or longer. I have fond memories of Paul trying to convince us he had trained Grommet the cat to roll over and sit - even Grommet was sceptical - but on occasion there was a roll, but more often just a 'sit' :).
A master builder, Paul was also a visionary - adding extensions and kitchens to 417, or buying the back lot and completely reimagining the neighbourhood. His innovation and use of tech to support builds and then establishing McStay Builders - ahead of his time! His passion and love of sport - be in cricket, petanque, swimming or cycling - Paul was always all in.
He will be missed so terribly by so many and we are sure tomorrow will just be a little part of all the love we had for him, celebrating his life, his family and his legacy.
Someone once shared this with me - and I've held on to it through all our hardest times and wanted to share with you all through yours...

" Grief, is really just love. It is ALL the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love, those hugs not hugged, those words not whispered all gather in the corner of your eyes, the lumps in your throat and that hollow, deep hole in your heart. Grief is the love that has no where to go." So grieve tomorrow, with all your hearts and all your love... and celebrate Paul and everything he was and continues to be for everyone.

Love to you all.
Tania

We were both very sad to hear that Paul had passed away. He was a great workmate at Peter Stevens and will be missed by all who knew him. Love and sympathy to all the family. John and Paula Catchpole

Peter and I were very sad to hear of Paul's passing.
We first met him at a Masters Swimming event in New Zealand and became firm friends. We stayed with him and Jan, after that meeting, and he even lent us his car to travel around New Zealand. He was generous and kind. A good friend and I know he will be much missed.

With deepest sympathy and thoughts to the family,we share you sadness at the passing of Paul. A well respected work mate and friend for over 25 years. Paul always had our deepest respect for his unending kindness and patience over the years. From all the Whittaker family.

Paul was truly an amazing person who we were proud to call our uncle. We all admired his determination and positive outlook on the challenges he has faced. He took on every opportunity to live life to the fullest. Above all though, the constant love and commitment he shared with Jan and his family was truly aspirational. We will miss his presence in our lives all the smiles, beers, laughs, and of course the practical jokes. Rest easy Paul, love always from the Mansfield, Broatch, and Mason families.

Brendon, Katie and Sam. Our deepest sympathies. Brendon, thank you so much for letting us know. Such a shock when Paul had been doing so well for so many years. What immense courage and tenacity to do so well and to still be such a participant in life - Paul was such an example.
Noel and Val Saxton

Sam, Briony and family, we are thinking of you at this very sad time. Sending our love, Helen and Murray Parfitt.

Fond memories of Paul back af Canterbury Cottage Company. Sad to here this news.

Dear Jan. So sad to note Paul´s death. I remember when you were first together....all those years ago! Thinking of you all at this very sad time. Jill Ryan (Dyer).