Obituary of Paul Alvin Robert Besant

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It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Paul Alvin Robert Besant after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. He passed peacefully at the age of 60 surrounded by family at his home in Naples, Florida. Paul was loving husband and partner to Cheryl for 37 years; proud father to Bobby and Samantha (Aaron); son of Jean Besant and the late Al Besant; brother to Chris and Laura; and uncle to Justin, Jamie and Georgia Besant and Cooper and Adelaide Pryde. Paul was a dedicated family man with a personality larger than life and we will all dearly miss the love, laughter, creative spirit and fun he brought to our lives.

Born in Victoria, B.C., Paul lived in Winnipeg, Montreal and Mississauga growing up before eventually settling in Burlington for ten years and then moving to Kitchener in his mid-thirties which remained home until his passing. Paul was a tenacious entrepreneur and businessman, dropping out of McMaster University at the age of 20 to take over a fledgling family business (Boehmer Box) after the death of his father. He proceeded to grow the company into a leading manufacturer of folding cartons in North America over the next 22 years; in addition to several other business ventures. He decided to sell Boehmer Box in his early 40s and retire from his business career to focus on family and having as much fun as possible while ticking off items on his bucket list. Paul was not only a dreamer but also a doer with a passion for cars, boats, golf and his cottage in Muskoka where he could often be found down on the dock watching the sunrise or cruising (likely at full speed) along the rocky treelined shores. He spent his winters in Naples, Florida where he had many dear friends with whom he created lasting and cherished memories. Paul loved people and made friends with anyone and everyone wherever he went. His quick wit, sense of humour and hysterical laugh were one of a kind and beloved by all who knew him. Paul always used to say you only go around once and he lived his life to the fullest in every way possible, managing to pack in more fun and adventures than most in his time with us. A great run for a simple box maker.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, to attend the visitation for Paul, personal face coverings are required and relatives and friends must register (RSVP) at www.erbgood.com or by calling the funeral home at 519-745-8445. Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A private family funeral service will be held in the chapel of the funeral home on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to view the livestream and recording of the service at www.erbgood.com   Interment to follow at Williamsburg Cemetery, Kitchener.

A larger celebration of life will be held at a later date, once restrictions ease, where we will all do him proud.

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family and memorial donations to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.

Rest in Paradise, Paul. We miss you like crazy and love you forever.