Paul James Stott, born February 12th 1949, passed away in the gentle embrace of his loving family at Toronto General Hospital on January 27th, 2023 at the age of 73. Paul lived and died as a warrior and there are many people that carry his spirit close. Most notably, Paul’s beloved wife Kelly Baldwin, and his children Shayna Stott (Zoltan Czetner), Reuven Stott (Sacha Lewis), Rachel Stott (Vlad Pinkhasov), Michelle Funston, Rachel Funston (Evan Norton), David Funston and Joe Stott (Hannah Fleming). Paul was famous for his tractor rides at the cottage, piling all the grandchildren into the trailer for a thrilling ride. His dearly loved grandchildren include: Mikayla, Stella, Penelope, Ben, Saul, Cole, Delilah and Ruby.

As the oldest sibling, Paul grew up with his loving sisters Teresa, Anne Marie and Julie, as well as his beloved younger brother, Daniel Stott. Those who remain here carry a light that Paul has given us. They illuminate an image of Paul, of his beauty and his legacy. Those that have passed on, embrace Paul on the next stage of his journey; his parents Rita Mae Riordan and Harold Ross Stott, father-in-law Kay Baldwin, Irving and Adele Handelman, as well as his first wife and dear friend, Cheryl Handelman-Stott.

Paul was born at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. In Paul’s youth, the family would move several times throughout Ontario and then notably to Port Cartier, Quebec. There Paul's father, Harold, was stationed as an engineer, tasked with building the port. Paul often talked about the river flowing through Port Cartier. As Paul and his siblings walked its banks day to day, it imprinted on his heart. The family would eventually return and settle in Toronto. However, Paul’s heart was always with the family land on the shores of Lake Simcoe. He grew strong there, working on the land and riding his horse along the dirt roads and forested trails. Until recently, Paul would sit in the dance hall with a fire crackling in the background or on the dock at dusk watching the sunset with his loyal companion, his dog, Spike, at his side.

Even as a child, Paul was always pushing the limits. Fear was not part of his vocabulary. He loved to read and a book usually found home in his back pocket. His siblings share stories of their father looking for Paul to help with work, only to be found tucked away immersed in a book. Paul's childhood antics strung together to form an adventure. With the unique ability to extract life lessons from these experiences, Paul became aware of the struggles of people around him. His siblings say this made him into a kind and generous young man.

Paul excelled in school with a keen eye for detail, sharp wit and high intelligence. He went to De La Salle for high school, subject to the strict Catholic governance of the time. He graduated from high school emboldened, leaving home to take a freight train out west, continuing his journey in becoming a man. As Paul carved his path home, he entered York University where he first studied Anthropology. He would break up his education to embark on a journey across the Atlantic with only a few dollars in his pocket and the shirt on his back. Paul was intrepid in nature, brilliant and charismatic; qualities that would help him navigate great adventure. Via sail, horseback, and motorcycle, Paul travelled through northern and southern Europe to the rock of Gibraltar and then down into Morocco. His journey culminated in a daring motorcycle expedition through the Sahara Desert from Morocco through Algeria to Niger.

Paul carried incredible stories, as if he had lived many lives over and, in his children’s eyes, he was a real-life Indiana Jones. Paul would tell one such story, of the time they stopped to rest in the desert, starting a fire with camel dung in order to cook some of their remaining rations of camel meat. As they were sitting by the fire, Paul reported looking over his shoulder to see several young Tuareg warriors mounted on camelback. He welcomed them to the fire and they sat together, sharing his meal.

Paul would share great joy in describing these stories with elements of suspense, danger and victory. Another story told was when he was held at scimitar point by nomadic raiders in the Sahara Desert after his motorcycle became stuck in the sand. Using his wit, he barely escaped to start his motorcycle in the nick of time and to ride into the sunset. Paul adventured unencumbered, fearlessly and with passion. After his second bout of malaria and several weeks in a feverish dream, Paul’s journey through the Sahara Desert would come to an end. He found a shipping liner that allowed him to work his way home. Homeward bound by sea, watching the waves crash, while imagining his next steps back in Toronto.

Paul would return to Toronto with a palpable zest for life and new found eccentricity, rejoining his close colleagues and friends at York University who would mean so much to him throughout his life. Together they would explore the inner workings of the 1960’s, using rebelliousness, mischief, intellectual debate, music, medicine and love to expand one's mind. While entrenched in the spirit of the times, Paul actualized his strong sense of fairness and social justice and entered studies at Osgoode Law School. He would begin his practice in Parkdale Community Legal Services, helping underserved populations defend themselves against injustice. Paul would later go on to form a law practice with some of his close colleagues and friends, starting the Law Firm of Abraham, Duggan, Hoppe, Niman and Stott.

After a successful law career, Paul would step outside the arena of the courts and take over the poultry business from his father-in-law and mentor, Irving Handelman. In the industry, Paul was a strong leader with the ability to think outside of the box, and take smart, calculated risks. He was known as a trail maker, solving problems in a unique fashion, opening up new avenues with an entrepreneurial spirit. Paul expanded the business across the world through the USA, Thailand, Brazil, Hungary, Germany, Chile and Cuba, the latter becoming his second home as he formed a deep love for Cuba's culture and people.

Paul had strong connections with the people he worked with, creating lasting, honorable and deep relationships with many of his business partners. He cared for his employees and his team at Reuven International Ltd. Whether it was sitting down with factory workers for lunch on a sweltering hot day in Cuba, or in the lunch room at Reuven headquarters in Toronto, Paul had a socialist spirit and saw us as equal in our humanity and right to a good life. Paul loved his team at Reuven International and, under his wing, they have come together like a family.

As Paul created a successful business, so too did he create a beautiful home with his soulmate, Kelly Baldwin. Paul's sense of adventure continued to influence his family throughout his life with many family trips taken off the beaten path. Paul had a deep commitment to family and raising his children well, often telling others that his family and the amazing life they shared was his biggest accomplishment. He would often find peace when his children and wife, Kelly, were all together under one roof. With Kelly, he raised seven strong children, giving them the tools they needed to thrive. With Paul, the example they will continue to use as a roadmap and compass.

Paul was the calm in the storm, in the most difficult of times, he not only achieved equanimity but he would act as a leader. Paul walked fast and others would try to keep up. He is described as honorable, generous, charismatic and a gentleman. In the end, Paul planned his passing as a warrior, with courage, ensuring he passed with dignity, his image intact and in peace. Deep love surrounded Paul’s hospital bed when he passed, representing the many lives Paul touched during his adventure.
This is how he wanted it- to become a man of integrity who touched many lives, a life full of adventure, a beautiful life lived, surrounded by love and carried forever in the hearts of his family and friends. Thank you White Buffalo, you are a guiding light for us to follow.