Paul John Valiquette
January 8, 1959 – December 13, 2024
It’s with great sadness we announce the passing of Paul Valiquette on the morning of December 13th, 2024 at the age of 65 from complications of atypical Parkinsonism.
Son of George and Colleen Valiquette, Paul was born and raised in Port Arthur. He pursued a career in Chemical Engineering, starting out in Terrace Bay and then in Nanaimo as a process engineer in pulp and paper. He settled in Dryden in 1988 where he worked at the Mill until 2003. He spent a year as operations supervisor for ERCO in Thunder Bay before returning to Dryden to act as a property manager for ORC/ CBRE Richard Ellis until his retirement in 2014.
He met his wife Sharon on the squash courts at Lakehead University shortly after undergrad. He had found his true match; someone who could fish, cook, and ski while doing most of the talking for him. They were the best of friends and married in 1989. They shared many adventures fishing, hunting, canoe tripping, and skiing; sometimes accompanied by their first cat and later by the kids. Tiika the golden retriever would later become his shadow.
Paul was an avid outdoorsman, often planning trips that would start before sunset and last long after sundown, come rain, shine, or whatever the thermometer decided for the day. He loved to hunt, fish, and cross country ski. He also enjoyed taking things apart and usually putting them back together, cooking “gourmet” meals, listening to the CBC, and reading anything that someone had already started reading. Paul would humbly beat everyone at cards, slide in unexpected quips, and take the family for surprise DQ runs. He was a quiet man, a patient listener, and the balanced voice of reason in the family. He gave 110% for what he felt mattered right until the end.
He will be deeply missed by his wife Sharon, children Nicole and Grant (Jenna), sister Linda, brother George (Susan), nephews Brendan and Matthew, and close friends. The family would like to thank his care team for their incredible support over the last 14 years: Dr Viherjoki, Dr Hobson and Kelly Williams at the Movement Disorder Clinic, Dr Biman, Dr Zurowski, Tamara Antanassio, Kerry Holland, DRHC physio, Lisa Nickel, Kelly Carlucci, Amanda at Wellwise, Melissa (respite), Laine and Melissa (home care nurses), Dr Doiron, and all the nursing staff that took great care of him in hospital.
At Paul’s request, there will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
If desired, donations may be made in his name to Parkinson’s Canada, Suite 316, 4211 Yonge St. Toronto, ON M2P 2A9, the Deer Lodge Movement Disorder Clinic, 200 Woodlawn St. Winnipeg, MB R3J 2H, or to a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be posted to www.dcfh.ca
Arrangements entrusted to the Dryden Community Funeral Home,
249 Grand Trunk Ave. Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
