It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce that, Paul Chambers, passed suddenly on July 3rd, 2024 in his Klawock home, on the island he loved so much.

Paul was born October 8th, 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Coming to the United States during his early middle school years, he shed his Geordie accent and forged lifelong friendships through his junior and senior high school years, graduating from JFK High School in Silver Springs Maryland in 1982.

After graduation, Paul obtained citizenship and followed his dreams to join the US Navy. Hoping to be career military, he loved his job as an air/sea rescue swimmer. His plans were cut short by a major accident during his first tour of duty. Young Paul made his way from the east coast to the west coast, pursuing alternate careers in aviation technology, certifying as an electrician, and working in multiple security, delivery and warehouse/manufacturing jobs along the way, eventually settling in Red Bluff , CA. His many health issues stemming from his prior injuries were evaluated to deem him disabled. Being a veteran, he had great respect for all who served in the country he adopted as his own as well as a passion for the history of WW2, particularly interested in the planes and warships of that era.

Paul’s disabilities didn’t keep him from loving life while he could. He enjoyed loud music,and was proud of his recall of lyrics and songs with just a note or two. Whether riding his Harley, camping, fishing, hunting,.. he loved almost anything to do with the outdoors. In 2008, he met his Terri Lynn and they began traveling, eventually marrying in Rotorua, New Zealand three years later.  They visited England and Ireland and  Scotland. Their adventures, and a good friend, also led them to Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. The first time Paul set foot on POW, he looked at the water and claimed he was “home”. He told everyone about the island that would listen, traveling back yearly, finally purchasing a quirky home on the water in Klawock in July of 2020. Even Covid couldn’t stop him from making his way there. Loading his spoiled dogs (his besties) and (secretly loved) cat, he and his gal moved him there so he could live the quiet life he dreamed of. Paul forged some friendships during those yearly visits and he set his sights on making more.

While he loved the island, he never forgot his east-coast, high-school friends,or his California buddies. He also made friends through social media with those who had like-minded interests and held them as dear to his heart as family. Some of his interests and friends came through gaming and his love for hockey, calling all these new friends, “brothers” and he reached out to them often.

Paul loved making people laugh. He was a force of nature, Whether it was shopping in a dinosaur suit, surprising friends in a Ghillie suit, attending a San Jose Sharks game in a Batman mask or just silly banter with “the missus”, people laughed AT and WITH him. His greatest gift, however, was making people feel seen and heard. He was forever giving rides, dropping off food and firewood,…offering hugs or just a listening ear. His generosity was often anonymous , or left him without a coat if someone needed it more. He truly never met a stranger. He was the epitome of the friend who reached out and truly cared.

Paul’s family meant everything to him, He went ahead of many who loved him, to make a place to welcome them in time. These include his loving wife, Terri Lynn, their blended family including son, Zac Hastey and his partner Camille, and daughter Tessa, “BabyGirl,” Grunwald . He adored the nieces and nephews he inherited when he and Terri Lynn married as well as a multitude of friends he called brother/sister/family. He traveled across the states and to other continents claiming bonus family as friends, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and “grandbrats”. If his arms weren’t big enough to hold them all, his heart was. He will be greatly missed.

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