Editor’s note: My father, Paul Roland Amyot, passed away on March 12, 2025 and this is why I have not posted in a long time. I wish to thank you all, dear readers, for your patience with me during this difficult time. I am ready to resume posting weekly and would like to start with the eulogy that I read at my father’s funeral. Perhaps this is not the most professional post in the world, but my father was very dear to me.

I would like to start by saying “thank you” to you all for coming to honor my dad today. It means a lot to my family and I know it would mean a great deal to him.

Paul Roland Amyot was born a New Englander and, although he lived in many locations throughout his 94 years on Earth, was a true example of the saying, “You can take the New Englander out of New England, but you can’t take New England out of the New Englander.” He loved his Red Sox and seafood, and being of Canadian descent, loved vacationing in Quebecois places like the Laurentians and the Eastern Townships. I have fond memories of spending summers in those regions with him and my mother.

But more importantly, my dad was a wonderful, honorable man who could best be described in three words: Dedicated, Hardworking, and Generous.

My dad was dedicated to the people he loved. He served as Godfather to several younger family members and role model to his younger siblings. He loved his family. When he was 19 and his father suddenly passed on, he became part of the glue that held his family together emotionally and spiritually.

He was dedicated to my mother. She was the love of his life, and from the beginning of their relationship, he did his best to bring her joy and happiness. He was dedicated to me, his only child. He and my mother fought for my rights and wellbeing when I was a special needs child—and it takes special parents to raise one! He and my mother attended my wedding in Jamaica even though the hot Caribbean wasn’t their first choice for a vacation, and made sure that my wedding reception in Maryland was perfect.

My dad was a hardworking man. He worked as a program analyst for the federal government for several decades, and volunteered in many capacities at his various parishes. But most importantly, he worked hard as a husband and father, helping around the house, fixing things when they broke, taking care of my mother when she was ill in her later years, and taking time out to play with me when I was a child and help me balance my checkbook when I became a young adult.

My dad was a generous man. He was frugal, but was always ready to help out those in need. He was also generous with his time. He always made time to visit and talk on the phone with his brothers and sisters. He cared genuinely about people, and supported several charitable causes.

Papa, you were so dedicated, hardworking, generous, and so many more great adjectives that I cannot list them all. We all miss you very much and will always miss you. We all love you very much.