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In Memoriam -- Paul Mast
9 years ago
Just got some sad news.
One of my adopted uncles, Paul E. Mast has passed away. Paul was one of the young people my grandparents took into their home, to give shelter, food and a chance to get back on their feet. He was a gifted man, who could sing, act and play the piano; talents he often used when part of the Bayshore Methodist Church choir many years ago. Paul was a favorite of my sister and I. He would play the Chiquita Banana jingle for me, and the Teddy Bear’s Picnic song for my sister. He was funny – always willing to make us laugh and smile with a joke – and a very warm and caring man.
It wasn’t until later in life I learned that he was also a homosexual man; something I think caused a falling out with my grandparents in their later years. It wasn’t long after my father’s passing that Paul left Tampa, headed for where… I couldn’t say. My mother and I tried for years to find him after the passing of Grandpa and Grandma Edwards, but the few times we did find him on FB, our attempts to talk were rebuffed. I fear it was the arguments over his being gay he had with my grandparents that may have been a part in his distancing us from himself. Still, I never stopped caring for and loving my Uncle Paul. I had always hoped that one day I’d be able to meet him and tell him that he hadn’t been forgotten and that anything that happened between him and my grandparents was forgiven.
Today, my mother revealed Paul’s niece reported his passing, in the afternoon on the 6th of September in Kokomo, Indiana. The news of his passing is a sad, sad thing to bear. To know that his wit, warmth and song will never be heard again in this world … it’s almost too terrible to think about.
I can only hope that Paul was well received in Heaven, and that both Norma and Jim were there to welcome him and tell him – much as God forgives us of our sins – that they forgive him and hope he forgives them in return. We mortal-few may never hear his voice again, but I know the hosts on high are reveling in his voice and song. Godspeed, Uncle Pual. You are missed, but never forgotten and always loved. – Randy.
Paul E. Mast, Born July 26, 1942 – Died September 6. 2016
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim, “My God, how great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
One of my adopted uncles, Paul E. Mast has passed away. Paul was one of the young people my grandparents took into their home, to give shelter, food and a chance to get back on their feet. He was a gifted man, who could sing, act and play the piano; talents he often used when part of the Bayshore Methodist Church choir many years ago. Paul was a favorite of my sister and I. He would play the Chiquita Banana jingle for me, and the Teddy Bear’s Picnic song for my sister. He was funny – always willing to make us laugh and smile with a joke – and a very warm and caring man.
It wasn’t until later in life I learned that he was also a homosexual man; something I think caused a falling out with my grandparents in their later years. It wasn’t long after my father’s passing that Paul left Tampa, headed for where… I couldn’t say. My mother and I tried for years to find him after the passing of Grandpa and Grandma Edwards, but the few times we did find him on FB, our attempts to talk were rebuffed. I fear it was the arguments over his being gay he had with my grandparents that may have been a part in his distancing us from himself. Still, I never stopped caring for and loving my Uncle Paul. I had always hoped that one day I’d be able to meet him and tell him that he hadn’t been forgotten and that anything that happened between him and my grandparents was forgiven.
Today, my mother revealed Paul’s niece reported his passing, in the afternoon on the 6th of September in Kokomo, Indiana. The news of his passing is a sad, sad thing to bear. To know that his wit, warmth and song will never be heard again in this world … it’s almost too terrible to think about.
I can only hope that Paul was well received in Heaven, and that both Norma and Jim were there to welcome him and tell him – much as God forgives us of our sins – that they forgive him and hope he forgives them in return. We mortal-few may never hear his voice again, but I know the hosts on high are reveling in his voice and song. Godspeed, Uncle Pual. You are missed, but never forgotten and always loved. – Randy.
Paul E. Mast, Born July 26, 1942 – Died September 6. 2016
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim, “My God, how great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
-- Stephen