Obituary for Paul James Jonsson Westdal
With broken hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Paul on April 22nd at St. Boniface Hospital due to complications following heart surgery. He was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend.
Paul was born in Pinawa, Manitoba on November 2nd, 1974 to John and Heather Westdal, joining big sister Tanis and big brother David and completing the family of five. Paul loved growing up in Pinawa and spending time with his family – going on road trips and participating in outdoor pastimes such as sailing, canoeing and swimming off the Prescott dock. He loved to hang out with his friends playing sports, playing music, or just spending time outdoors. As Paul was an extremely loyal, generous, and hilarious friend, he maintained a close bond with many of his childhood friends throughout his life.
Following his high school graduation in 1992, Paul moved into Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba. His sense of adventure was strong however, and that drew him to move to other areas of Canada to live including Lake Louise, Alberta, and Dawson City, Yukon.
It was while Paul was in Manitoba in between stints of working in Lake Louise that he met Jennifer. Paul returned to Lake Louise to work but came back to Manitoba in December 1997 and soon he and Jen started dating and fell in love. It was during this time that Paul returned to the University of Manitoba and completed his university education in October 1998.
Paul continued to look for ways to experience adventures, so he took a position teaching English in Seoul, South Korea in 1999. Paul enjoyed his time in Korea and the experience of day-to-day living in a different culture and environment. Jen joined in the adventure in January 2000, embarking on a once-in-a lifetime trip with Paul through parts of Asia and Europe. One of the highlights… their engagement in Cappadocia Region of Turkey.
After returning to Winnipeg from travelling, Paul began working at Investors Group in the fall of 2000. In 2005, Paul moved to the Canadian Wheat Board, working in the Treasury Department through the restructuring period to G3 Canada. After a successful career at G3 Canada, he rejoined IGM in 2016 in the Enterprise Risk Management Group as Senior Manager Financial Risk Management. As his days in Pinawa, Paul developed strong friendships with his work colleagues. Many of them carried on beyond work to be friends Paul still has to this day.
Paul and Jen married in 2001 and were thrilled to welcome their son Robertson in 2005, followed closely by their daughter Veronica in 2007. Paul was a devoted family man who was always open to new experiences. He enjoyed spending time with the kids and being involved in their activities. He was incredibly proud of Robertson and Veronica and always encouraged them to take on opportunities in life. He introduced them to his love of music, camping, sports and shared his curiosity about the world. Paul still had an incredible love of travel, adventure and exploring, an example being the family camping between Christmas and New Year’s when the outside temperatures at night were -30C. One of Paul’s favorite things to do on a weekend was get in the van and drive to a new park or trail to check it out with the family. Paul’s plan for this year’s summer vacation was to take his family on a camping trip to Yellowknife.
Paul was predeceased by his father John in 2009, and brother David in 2017. Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife Jennifer Sheridan Westdal, children Robertson and Veronica, mother Heather Westdal (Robert Revak), sister Tanis Westdal (Neil Dempsey), C.J. and Charlotte, sister-in-law Sarah Westdal – Doelger (Christian Doelger), Evelyn, John and Luise, Amma (Evelyn Westdal), mother-in-Law Marilyn Sheridan (Ken Sarvis), as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and countless friends.
Due to current gathering restrictions, a celebration of Paul’s life will be held at a later date.
Paul’s family would like to thank the staff of the Bergen Cardiac Care Clinic, I.H. Asper Institute, Dr. Yamashita, Dr. Tam and all the others who were involved in Paul’s care over the past few years.
In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up to support the post-secondary education of his children. A donation can be made under the name of RobertsonVeronicaTrust@gmail.com through e-transfer or cheques sent to 19 Trailside Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3Y 0N1.
To say that Paul will be missed is a huge understatement. Those who knew him will always remember and appreciate his subtle charm, sharp wit, and chill attitude. Everyone who knew Paul knows how lucky they were to have him in their lives.
Paul was born in Pinawa, Manitoba on November 2nd, 1974 to John and Heather Westdal, joining big sister Tanis and big brother David and completing the family of five. Paul loved growing up in Pinawa and spending time with his family – going on road trips and participating in outdoor pastimes such as sailing, canoeing and swimming off the Prescott dock. He loved to hang out with his friends playing sports, playing music, or just spending time outdoors. As Paul was an extremely loyal, generous, and hilarious friend, he maintained a close bond with many of his childhood friends throughout his life.
Following his high school graduation in 1992, Paul moved into Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba. His sense of adventure was strong however, and that drew him to move to other areas of Canada to live including Lake Louise, Alberta, and Dawson City, Yukon.
It was while Paul was in Manitoba in between stints of working in Lake Louise that he met Jennifer. Paul returned to Lake Louise to work but came back to Manitoba in December 1997 and soon he and Jen started dating and fell in love. It was during this time that Paul returned to the University of Manitoba and completed his university education in October 1998.
Paul continued to look for ways to experience adventures, so he took a position teaching English in Seoul, South Korea in 1999. Paul enjoyed his time in Korea and the experience of day-to-day living in a different culture and environment. Jen joined in the adventure in January 2000, embarking on a once-in-a lifetime trip with Paul through parts of Asia and Europe. One of the highlights… their engagement in Cappadocia Region of Turkey.
After returning to Winnipeg from travelling, Paul began working at Investors Group in the fall of 2000. In 2005, Paul moved to the Canadian Wheat Board, working in the Treasury Department through the restructuring period to G3 Canada. After a successful career at G3 Canada, he rejoined IGM in 2016 in the Enterprise Risk Management Group as Senior Manager Financial Risk Management. As his days in Pinawa, Paul developed strong friendships with his work colleagues. Many of them carried on beyond work to be friends Paul still has to this day.
Paul and Jen married in 2001 and were thrilled to welcome their son Robertson in 2005, followed closely by their daughter Veronica in 2007. Paul was a devoted family man who was always open to new experiences. He enjoyed spending time with the kids and being involved in their activities. He was incredibly proud of Robertson and Veronica and always encouraged them to take on opportunities in life. He introduced them to his love of music, camping, sports and shared his curiosity about the world. Paul still had an incredible love of travel, adventure and exploring, an example being the family camping between Christmas and New Year’s when the outside temperatures at night were -30C. One of Paul’s favorite things to do on a weekend was get in the van and drive to a new park or trail to check it out with the family. Paul’s plan for this year’s summer vacation was to take his family on a camping trip to Yellowknife.
Paul was predeceased by his father John in 2009, and brother David in 2017. Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife Jennifer Sheridan Westdal, children Robertson and Veronica, mother Heather Westdal (Robert Revak), sister Tanis Westdal (Neil Dempsey), C.J. and Charlotte, sister-in-law Sarah Westdal – Doelger (Christian Doelger), Evelyn, John and Luise, Amma (Evelyn Westdal), mother-in-Law Marilyn Sheridan (Ken Sarvis), as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and countless friends.
Due to current gathering restrictions, a celebration of Paul’s life will be held at a later date.
Paul’s family would like to thank the staff of the Bergen Cardiac Care Clinic, I.H. Asper Institute, Dr. Yamashita, Dr. Tam and all the others who were involved in Paul’s care over the past few years.
In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up to support the post-secondary education of his children. A donation can be made under the name of RobertsonVeronicaTrust@gmail.com through e-transfer or cheques sent to 19 Trailside Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3Y 0N1.
To say that Paul will be missed is a huge understatement. Those who knew him will always remember and appreciate his subtle charm, sharp wit, and chill attitude. Everyone who knew Paul knows how lucky they were to have him in their lives.