Paul Mann

Remembering Paul

Today marks two months since Paul’s death.  As I have stated to friends lately, I am not sure if it feels like 2 months, 2 weeks or 2 years.  What I do know is that the grieving process is peculiar and it clearly takes a heavy toll on the mind, body and soul.   I go from being angry to accepting to denial to depressed and then back to denial.  And I find myself  saying  a million times a day, “I cannot believe Paul is gone.”  

I am not sure about you, but as I continue to grieve over the loss of Paul,  I am amazed to see how much Paul’s spirit lives on – at the beach, with friends, family and acquaintances.  This spirit has helped me get through some of my toughest days. With that said, this month  Windsurfing Magazine made special mention of Paul.  I could not believe it when Soyheil pointed it out to me - Paul Mann in Windsurfing Magazine!

As I read through the piece, my first emotion was sadness.  But then, as I was staring at that amazing photo, I felt so proud.  Proud that I was able to have Paul in my life (even if it was way too short).  Proud to have created memories with him.  Proud to have been able to be, not only his girlfriend, but also his friend. Even through our saddest days, I hope we can all continue to be proud of what Paul meant to us.  So, buy the magazine and check it out the tribute.

Keep remembering Paul Mann and please continue to keep in touch.  As Paul would have said……..

Cheers Big Ears,

Michelle Urban
Michelleurban1974@gmail.com

Memorial - Thank You

Sunday was an incredibly emotional day.  With friends, family, drinks, food, music, and pictures - I felt as if we should have been celebrating Paul’s birthday.  Certainly not his death.  You cannot help but to be happy when you have that much love sharing the same space.  And then, the moment hits you when you realize that all these people are gathered to say good-bye to Paul Mann.

The celebration started as friends and family walked through the door of the Great American Music Hall and were greeted by a photo of Paul flipping off the camera.  Without doubt, that photo did remind us all of Paul!  In my opinion, the memorial summed up Paul in a perfect way.  A bit of laughter, tears, songs, story telling, and even a Rabbi.  Click HERE to check out the slide show and pictures.

For those of you that were present at Crissy Field and on the water, you understand when I say words cannot capture the moment.  If anyone can help me describe the moment, please feel to chime in now……I am at a loss for words.  When we started on the water, it was foggy with little to no sun appearing.  As soon as the boat headed under the Golden Gate Bridge the fog lifted and out came the sun.  I think you can see the change in some of the pictures that were taken from the bridge (thanks Hardy,  Amy, Alana and Rebba). 

Once out the gate and we got through the rough and choppy water, we navigated the boat back downwind.  Jeremy and Jeffery let the sails out as we passed back through the gate as windsurfers and kiters tossed in bouquets of flowers .  At this time, Paul’s ashes were released in the bay.  His ashes circulated among his friends and family as we headed back to Crissy Field.

I believe that Paul’s spirit will always live on at Crissy Field.  And, like me, I am sure you will always do something in your day that reminds you of Paul Mann.  Whether it be rigging a sail, drinking pinot, eating ice cream at 2:00am, honking at a bad Volvo driver,  or using a Toto,  always keep Paul’s charm, charisma and passion within.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone!  For those of you that were present, for those of you who were there in spirit......your love, warmth, passion and support was a comfort to us all.  And not to mention all of you that pitched in a hand and donated your time and services (Lee, Bard, Diane and Diane, Kelly, Jean, Bayard, Daniel, to name a few of the many).  Again, thank you.

We love you Paul Mann!

Slide Show and Photos Download Page

I have assembled a download page for some of the media files from Paul's memorial service:

http://soheilzahedi.com/downloads/PJM/

On this page you can find a large format photo of the now famous "sails on the beach" photo by Bayard Fleitas. This is a very large file suitable for high resolution printing or producing large banner sized prints like we had at Crissy on Sunday.

You can also download the slide show movie that we played at the Great American Music Hall. Due to the large size of the original High Definition file, I have uploaded a smaller version also, for those of you with slower internet download speeds.

There are also links to some of the photos that were taken on Sunday from the Golden Gate Bridge, and from the water as Paul's ashes were being released, and the windsurfer vigil after the release.

Memorial Service - July 19th

Join family and friends to remember his life and achievements.  Hors d'oeuvres, drinks, laughter, music, tears and remembrance.  Please attend as we celebrate Paul.
Great American Music Hall
Sunday, July 19, 2009
1:00pm
859 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Directions & Parking -- Map

BBQ Celebration*
Crissy Field East Beach Picnic Area
4:30pm
Map  (click blue place marker for directions)

Please RSVP via the Evite Invitation

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Coast Guard Foundation, 394 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, CT 06378-1807, 860-535-0786, e-mail: info@cgfdn.org.  Donations can be made by clicking here: www.cgfdn.org.  Please make sure to include “Paul Mann” in the contribution.

*Stay tuned for windsurfing and boating updates.  We will post wind and no wind/fog options.

New York Memorial

As many of you know, Paul grew up in New York City (hence the nickname we had for him, “Park Avenue Paul”).  He has an overwhelming amount of friends and family that are in NYC that will be unable to attend Sunday’s memorial service.  Paul’s cousin Gregg  and friend Lou Russack have graciously put together an informal memorial on Wednesday, July 15th .  The memorial will take place from 4:30pm – 7:30pm.

Steamers Landing
375 South End Ave
New York, New York 10280
212-432-1451
Get Directions

The family of Paul request that, in lieu of flowers, a contribution be made to the Coast Guard Foundation, 394 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, CT 06378-1807, 860-535-0786, e-mail: info@cgfdn.org.  Donations can be made by clicking here: www.cgfdn.org.  Please make sure to include “Paul Mann” in the contribution.

Please feel free to stop in for  a quick chat, an hour, or the whole thing.  If you have any questions, please contact Gregg  Linsky (greggthegirl2@yahoo.com).  We hope you can attend on Wedneday.

Remember Paul Mann

Good Morning Friends and Family,

I wanted to share a few links with you.  The first three are Paul's obituary from various newspapers. The remaining are great little tidbits I found interesting. 

1. Hood River Obituary
2. New York Times Obituary
3. SF Chronicle Obituary

• Leah Garchlick
• Warden World Blog
  

I believe in the next day or 2 we will have finalized details for Sunday July 19th.  There will be a memorial service at the Great American Music Hall (time TBD) followed by a BBQ and celebration at Crissy Field (time TBD).  We will update the blog as soon as we have finalized details.

See you all on Sunday.  I wish everyone the absolute best and hope you are finding the strength, energy and support during this hard time. 

With Love,

Michelle Urban

Save the date

A memorial service for Paul is going to be held on Sunday July 19 in San Francisco. A celebration/BBQ will be held at Crissy Field following the service. The exact time for these events, and the venue for the memorial have not yet been nailed down. Please stay tuned for more details...

Thank You!

Hello Everyone,

I want to personally thank you for all the love and support you have given me.  Paul’s friends and family, my friends, my family, acquaintances, and complete strangers have all been amazing.  I had a Hood River local stop me in the coffee shop yesterday.  He told me he remembers seeing Paul in town over the past several years - it was the big smile he remembers.  How could anyone forget the smile!?!

Last night at the Hook was an amazing experience and what I hear from friends, read on post and see from pictures, Crissy Field was a one of kind experience as well.  Thank you to those at Crissy and to those friends and family members who also shared a moment of silence in New York, Michigan, New Mexico, and many places in between and far away.  Whatever we did together worked!  I truly believe Paul heard us begging and pleading for him to return to us.

If you have any pictures of Paul you would like posted on the blog, please send them to me.  I will make sure to post.  The comments that have been left are very uplifting and have helped me beyond recognition.  I love all the stories about Paul!   I encourage you to keep them coming.  Don’t forget to share our blog (www.paulmann/typepad.com ) with all that knew Paul.  

At this time, a confirmed date and time for a memorial/service/party has not been set.  When finalized details have been made, we will try to contact all you with the information needed.  Please continue to check here for all updated information.

I will be staying in Hood River to the end of the week.  Tomorrow I will be sailing in the river for the first time in a week.  I hope Paul will be sending some good sailing vibes my way.

With Love,

Michelle Urban
michelleurban1974@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/murban

Our search ends

Sadly, earlier this morning (Tuesday July 7), the Sheriff's dept. recovered Paul's body from the Columbia river. He was found near the Event Site.

Thanks to everyone who tirelessly helped with this search. Whether it was by plane or boat or kayak or windsurfer or jet-ski or forming a circle of friends or raising your sails or sending your thoughts and prayers, you helped find our friend Paul. Thank you!

As of yet, no arrangements have been made.

Rest in peace dear friend.

The Hook & Crissy Field gatherings...

Thanks to everyone who was there with us on the 2 beaches today. It was a fabulous turnout and the simultaneous arc of sails on the beach at Crissy and the circle of friends at The Hook were beautiful gestures of togetherness as we all sent our thoughts and prayers for Paul.

Here are some shots of the Crissy gathering taken by Hardy Chambliss:

http://hardydanger.smugmug.com/gallery/8833091_3cFGw#585219106_b45eG

Here are some shots of today's 2 gatherings, click on the photos for a larger version.

(Crissy photos: Bayard Fleitas)