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In Memory

Paul Michael Moir

Paul Michael Moir

Paul M. MOIR ObituaryDeceased August 2, 2015, Belvidere, Illinois.

PAUL M. MOIR, 66, of Brunswick, loving father of Jason (Jamie), Scott and Katy; devoted grandfather of Riley, Gavin, Cole and Charlotte; dear brother of Jeannette Lewis, Ken (Connie), Jack (Marge), Tom (Sandy), and the late Lawrence and Carol; beloved son of the late Elizabeth Jean and Thomas Moir. Paul died on August 2, 2015 of a massive heart attack while on vacation in Illinois. Paul was very proud of his service during Vietnam in the United States Army and was a lifetime member of the VFW. Paul was the author of the novel, "The Most Beautiful Woman in the World". He was a trustee of the Brunswick United Methodist Church and he had 31 years of sobriety in AA. Paul was a 32nd Degree Mason and Past Master in his Lodge, member of the Scottish Rite. He loved riding his Harley and was a proud member of the Carpenters Union. A funeral service will be held at the BUSCH FUNERAL HOME, 21369 Center Ridge Rd., Fairview Park, at 11:00am on Saturday, August 15th. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2-4 and 6-8pm on Friday, August 14, a Masonic service will be held at 7:30pm. www.buschcares.com • 440-333-9774.  Published in The Plain Dealer on Aug. 9, 2015. - See more at: http://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?n=Paul-M-MOIR&pid=175466853#sthash.EAvYnFSD.dpuf

 
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08/21/16 05:20 PM #1    

Betsy Timm

Paul and i were childhood friends. We lived one house apart.  my first kiss. Playing in the woods and swinging on the vines with Lynn Clark, Chris Payne, and others. Kick the can. Halloween hijinks. We touched bases occasionally over the decades but lost contact for about 20 years. We were both happy to be able to get together a few years ago.. We had some nice moments, but parted ways estranged. I regret we left things that way, and wish i could have accepted his offer of an apology about a year later. Paul, rest in peace.you did not have it easy throughout much of your life. I will think of you often, when I see a Harley, a model train, Vietnam mentions, or when walking in woods, and so much more. 


08/24/16 10:13 PM #2    

Rupe Beckstett

It was late 2011 or early 2012.  Ken Gandola was back in Rocky River to settle his mother's estate.  He and I hooked up and attended a Rocky River varsity basketball game...........and ran into Paul Moir and Jack Eisenhut.  I had not seen Paul since high school, and we weren't close back then.  We did a lot of talking and catching up.  That led to attending more basketball games, with pre-game dinners at Rustic.  It was not long before Paul invited us to a small group gathering at his beautiful home in Brunswick.  As I arrived, and walked into his spotless garage, I noticed his clean, highly polished car, truck, and motorcycle.  I became concerned that I might be tracking dirt into his garage........and knew that I would be removing my shoes upon entering his home.  His home was well maintained, tastefully decorated, and spotless.  Paul was a model train enthusiast and had an amazing display in his finished basement............over 100 square feet of track, engines, trains, and all the accoutrements including a working scale model of the lift bridge in the Cleveland "flats."  Paul was a professional carpenter and his skills were certainly evident in his model train display.

Also displayed prominently in the rec room was a framed array of all the insignia, medals, and badges that Paul had earned as an infantryman in Viet Nam.  Paul had served in the First Battalion (mechanized), 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division which was also known as the "Bobcats."  Although Paul did not talk much about his war experiences, I could tell that he was extremely proud of his unit and of his service to his country.  He still communicated almost daily with many of his fellow "Bobcats."

At the gathering at the home of Paul's sister (Jeannette Lewis) following his memorial service, I met four of his fellow "Bobcats" including his company commander.  They had come from as far as Texas and Minnesota to pay their respects.  They told me how Paul had saved the lives of every man in their company.  It was Paul's seventh day "in country" and his first day walking "point."  Paul noticed a "glint in the grass" and immediately made the motion to halt.  Everybody froze in place.  The soldier nearest Paul was actually straddling the trip wire.  When everybody was safely extricated, the booby trap was set off........it was the largest amount of explosives anyone had ever seen in an IED........enough to have easily obliterated the entire company.

In August of 1968, Paul and his fellow "Bobcats" entered the Ben Cui Rubber Plantation on a routine patrol.  They were ambushed by an entire battalion of Viet Cong.  Outnumbered 20/1, they fought for over three hours before they were able to withdraw.  Both sides suffered heavy casualties.  I learned that Paul was one of the last to leave the area as he kept going back in to retrieve the wounded.  This was after moving among multiple defensive positions to provide support where the fighting was most intense.  His commander told me that Paul had been nominated for a Silver Star (with a "V" device) in recognition of his courageous actions at Ben Cui.  Paul was aware of his nomination prior to his death, but he never mentioned it to me.  The award is still pending.

Paul quietly served as a positive force in his community.  He was active in helping others through his work with his church, the Masons, the VFW, and AA.  He was a financial supporter of, and a volunteer for Newbridge Place, a group home in Lodi that houses individuals with brain damage.  Many of the residents are veterans, and Paul often donated his time to drive them to their appointments at the VA Hospital in Cleveland.

It has been over a year since Paul's passing.  He endured a lot in life, but persevered.  I will remember him for his big-hearted smile, his selfless devotion to others, and his "glass is always half full" attitude.......but mostly, I will remember him for his friendship. 

May you rest in peace, Bobcat.  


08/25/16 02:11 PM #3    

Peggy Toman (Siegle)

Thank you Betsy and Rupe for these beautiful messages.  I only knew Paul to say Hi in the RRHS hallways.  Your words about him and descriptions of his bravery made a huge impression on me.  Thank you for taking the time to write all that.  I honor his life as well. 


08/26/16 10:16 AM #4    

Betsy Fisher (Martin)

Rupe, what you wrote about Paul was extremely touching -- I read it 3 times!  Then, I read it to my husband who is also a proud Vietnam Veteran.  He has PTSD really bad from the war and is slowly drifting away from the physical effects of Agent Orange.  It means so much to him when someone acknowledges the achievements of the veterans in that war and the sacrifices that they made, especially since they had no "Welcome Home."  We have something posted on our refrigerator called "What Is A Veteran?" -- A "Veteran" -- whether active duty, discharged, retired or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount "up to, and including his life."  Thanks Rupe!


08/26/16 04:54 PM #5    

Jill Fife (Brown)

I didn't know Paul in high school but my husband, Ron, and I sat with him at dinner at CYC for the 30th reunion.  He was so friendly and my husband really liked him and thought he was really a salt of the earth kind of guy.  Sorry to see that we will not be seeing him at this reunion.  It is a loss of a great man.


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