RIP Mr. Paul [PAR] Riccelli

A few years back I wandered into this forum to ask some questions about a restoration I was working on, (and am still). PAR chimed right in with many tips and recommendations, and always tolerated my less than knowledgeable questions, as did Mr Sponberg. It was sweet sorrow to see Mr Sponberg retire and literally sail away, but it's truly saddening to find that PAR, had passed away. I will certainly miss his knowledge and help.

 

Fair winds to a good friend Paul. Due to a battle with "man cancer" i have not been on the forum for over a year but every since our meeting on one of my down south trips Paul and I, in addition to his design work on "Nancy G," always kept in touch by phone every 3 months or so on a rotating basis. Next call would have been sometime in Aug. I always so greatly enjoyed our chats. Our last being one of supporting each other in overcoming the genetic battles we were both fighting. Well my friend, looks like you have a head start on "Miss Solar Wind . Fret not as one by one we your friends will drop by to help with the build.

 

Just saw Gail has put up a message, which is also on the top of the front page of Paul's website/blog.

Gail asks for advice how to shut down Paul's website/blog. If that means she wants to remove it all from the web, then that would be a great loss of all the very good boat building info there, especially for the novice.

Some are contemplating* to buy Paul's plans right now, this might go on for a very long time, e.g. like as with the Atkins, where Pat is selling the plans of the late Billy and John for decades now.

* see the thread: Building RYD-16.9 Rocky - Hull 21 ---> post #78​

Maybe some of those who were in direct contact with Paul, like e.g. / Troy / Viking North / Jim (the OP) / etc. / want to talk this over with Gail ?

If she nevertheless wants to take it down, then of course best someone should advice her how to do this, I'm afraid . .

 

Well, to say I am shocked would be quite an understatement. I haven't visited in a while but as soon as I did it was eerily apparent his presence was missing. I'm not sure why this affecting me as it is but I can't help but feel a great sense of loss and remorse.
Paul was a exceptional human being, he gave of himself freely and constantly. It was not unusual for him to reply at 3 am or 1 pm in the afternoon. Seemed as though helping others was as important as his own work and personal life. A true one in a million......he will be missed.

I'm so sorry I've arrived late to this somber tribute, but felt compelled to share. He didn't know me but cared about my project and the progress I was making. Gave his opinion with his style and could back it up with science, facts and real world application experience.

God Bless and my condolences to his loved ones

Tony G.

 

I knew Paul. You hit the nail on the head. He was a great guy, and a great loss to the boating community.

 

Terribly sad to hear this today

He helped me all through my last build, bouncing ideas around and discussing the build.

I looked for him today after almost 2 years to talk about the next build and to get him involved from the start, and to get him something out of it as everything he did, he did for nothing on the last build, he helped me on a regular basis for nothing.

He literally just started following my build on another forum and started offering advice and ideas, and answered many questions I had.

What an 11/10 bloke.

 

You're not alone Darth, I know there are a lot of folks missing Paul's insights and his humor. I never met him or spoke with him but just knowing that he was out there was a great comfort to me. Paul didn't suffer fools but as soon as he saw someone seriously approaching a project he was more than willing to offer his expertise. 11/10 bloke? At least.

 

I have been away from the forum for probably some 5 years, but I am shocked to hear Paul passed away. My thoughts are with his familiy. Paul was always willing to help, and an invaluable source of experience. I hope Heaven has a boat yard...

 

I don't know what to say, he was always very kind, and helpful, and I had a pleasant exchange of messages with him, when I started here my experience with boats.

 

I see Paul's Website is still online, which is wealth of valuable info, as a reference for myself I like to point out the Liquid Joinery page there.

One of my nightmares is it goes offline, so I've just checked the WayBack Machine, and saw they have stored it, but hope Gail keeps the original online as well.

Thank You Gail, for keeping all that valuable info online so far, I hope you're doing well, and wish you all the best !

(A II forum history link at the front end of the signature)

 

Yesterday, I returned to the forum after 3 years & this afternoon I was deeply saddened to read about Paul's death at his web site. I am heartened that so many members of this forum had only good things to say about him. I also recall his willingness to share his knowledge & I am grateful that Gail has maintained Paul's web site as a memorial.

 

Years on, and I still come across PAR's stuff. I missed him by such a narrow margin.

 

He left a real legacy.