The untimely and sudden death of Paul Kneafsey after a climbing accident in his beloved Canadian Rockies has left not only his family but his many friends on both sides of the Atlantic saddened and shocked.
Born in Dublin and educated by the Dominicans in Newbridge College, Paul graduated in medicine in Galway in 1980 and after early years in Galway, Castlebar and Sligo finally settled on his future career choice when he joined the pathology department in the Richmond in 1982.
Like his father Des, he was a keen hockey player and captained the men's hockey team in UCG and also represented Connacht. He was always interested in outdoor activities and gave artistic expression to his love of nature in his excellence at oil painting, which developed into most beautiful and works of art as he grew older.
He finally left of Canada in 1986 where he pursued an outstanding career, obtaining all the appropriate postgraduate degrees and publishing widely on cytopathology.
As a professor on the staff of the University of Calgary his opinions were widely respected and widely consulted, but it is perhaps other sides of Paul's character that leave the most lasting memories.
Again like his father, Paul was an absolutely outstanding teacher and was voted best teacher of the year regularly by his post-graduate students in Calgary. He gave freely of his energy and time to these trainees and went far beyond the normal expectations of any teacher in helping and tutoring and setting these budding pathologists on the right track.
His peers not only respected him but recognised in him a fearless soul who would voice his honest opinion however it might shock, upset or go against the popular trend. He continually poked fun at people, institutions and current hypocritical mores. He had a quick wit, a clever tongue, was a brilliant debater and yet was extraordinarily sensitive to other people needs and feelings.
Little wonder that already a memorial lectureship fund has already been established in his name in the University of Calgary.
Although his professional life was full, Paul spent as much time as he could in exploring and climbing and painting his beloved Rockies and he excelled in this.
His exploits were famous among those who knew him. One of his quirks was to drink wine and hit golf balls from the top of different peaks!
Could Paul have chosen, he might indeed have asked to die amid the pine-covered slopes and rushing waters and snow-capped tips of these vast mountains. Little wonder again that his fellow climbers have planted a tree dedicated to Paul at Fish Creek, Provincial Park.
Paul came from a very well-know medical family and is survived by his parents Bernie, his father Des, one-time president of the College of Surgeons in Ireland - and his anaesthetist sister Michelle. His is also survived by his soul mate Veronica (Ronnie) Sam, who shared his dreams and hopes.
We have lost a fine man, a fine doctor and a fine friend. We have lost him far too soon. We extend our deepest sympathy to all who loved him.
D.C.