Paul Charpentier
April 27, 1940 - October 22, 2012
Paul Charpentier, a beloved member of the Fellowship of Friends, completed his task after a prolonged struggle with cancer, at 2:50 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012. Paul celebrated his seventy-second birthday on April 27th.
Paul joined the Fellowship in the Toronto Center on September 25, 1988. Spending three to six months at a time, he was a strong supporting student to the centers in Montreal, St. Petersburg, Paris, and Novosibirsk.
Returning to Apollo in 1997, he quietly and consistently served the School in so many ways – whether it was acting as Treasurer of both Apollo Arts and the Elysian Society, or serving at the Galleria lunch every Sunday for several years, or stepping in wherever he was needed in the Galleria kitchen, or studying Shakespeare – his was a sterling character.
On behalf of all who knew you, we thank thee.
Epitaph:
Do not go past the present
Funeral Service Text: Paul Charpentier 2012-11
Deign that your hand be present
You know You are the only hope I have.
Petrarch
Paul was kind to me every time we met.
Dear Friends,
I would like to express my deep gratitude to all students who supported and daily cared for my beloved
husband Paul when I was far away from Apollo and was not able to be with him. Having difficulties to return
to the US from Russia, I was supported by telephone calls from Apollo, which helped me to endure my heavy
thoughts. I will never forget it. Thank you very much, my friends!
After hospitalization, Paul often told me how much love and kindness he was getting from students, how
compassionate and patient they were. Probably, that period of time was the happiest time for him during his
illness: even more students participated and shared time with him and with members of his family. He
looked absolutely happy! Happiness became possible because of all of you, because of your good hearts,
because of your love, because of your Presence.
Thank you, friends for sharing this experience with us, for your sincere desire to express your love and
care! Your Love has made a Miracle!
Almost three months have past away, now there is no Paul, but I still receive a lot of help from many of you.
So many of you made possible my unforgettable trip to Mexico. Thanks to all of you for your amazing
generosity and kindness!
A very special thanks to our Beloved Teacher, who teaches us to be Real, to be human, to be Love.
With much appreciation and friendship through Presence,
Galina Charpentier
Apollo
January, 2013
“Thankfulness brings you to the place where the Beloved lives.” Rumi