Paul James St. Jean
“Beeper”
February 3rd 1951, Kirkland Lake
February 8th 2018, Sudbury

Died with his family by his side on the morning of Thursday, February 8th 2018 after several days of fighting pneumonia with cancer-laden lungs. Husband of Jeannine St. Jean (née Gauthier) for 41 years. Dad to Curtis (Dorothy Robb) and Cortney (Chris Gervais). Grandpa to Jacqueline. Son of Fernando (Fred) St. Jean and Lillian St. Jean (née Barrie) of Kirkland Lake, both predeceased. Brother to Bill St. Jean - predeceased (Jean St. Jean), Joan Settimi (Victor Settimi - predeceased) and Pidge (Fred) St. Jean (Carol St. Jean) (Cheryl St. Jean - predeceased).

Paul worked as a Red Seal Endorsed Welder and Steamfitter/Pipefitter for 25 years. After an injury at work, he returned to school in his forties to earn degrees in Environmental Geography and Education. He began his teaching career in 1998 at Espanola High School, retiring in 2016 at Lasalle Secondary School.

Paul loved life (a cliché, yes, but in this case, very true). And in doing so, he knew that life is often best experienced when pushed to the limits, which he did, in his off-road motorcycling, his careers, everything. He also loved the outdoors, spending much of his time basking in it, fishing, hunting, tending his mining claims, and exploring. He knew how to use a compass but he rarely needed it. Yes, he occasionally got temporarily misplaced, but never lost, always knowing the way home as if by magic. One hunting season, he had a license for a cow, found one tending her two young offspring, and fired into the air to scare them away. He never hunted again. Oh, he still went on hunting trips with his buddies, to be outdoors, but never actually hunted. Paul loved his oddball collection of friends, and enthusiastically shared his various passions with them. But of all his loves, the one he cherished the most was his family, his wife Jeannine, his two children, Curtis and Cortney, and more recently, his granddaughter Jacqueline. Seventeen years ago, Paul was diagnosed with cancer. He suffered through the usual variety pack of invasive treatments, each pushing the cancer away for a while. But mostly it was his love of life, the outdoors, his friends, and his family that sustained him, and kept him around for so long. In some ways, it’s hard to think of his passing as a loss, for we have all gained so much from simply knowing him. Thanks Paul, for being there for us for so many years. It’s been a treat.

Resting at the Jackson & Barnard Funeral Home, 233 Larch Street, Sudbury where friends may call after 1pm Tuesday, February 13th, 2018. Funeral Service will be held in the R. J. Barnard Chapel at 3pm with a reception to follow.
Paul will be buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery, 1075 Tower Drive, North Bay. If desired, donations to the Northern Cancer Foundation would be greatly appreciated.