Johnny Pauls, a veteran of the Second World War from Newfoundland and Labrador, has died.
Pauls, who was known as “Uncle” in the Spaniard’s Bay community, died Wednesday evening. He was 102 years old.
He was born March 16, 1924, in the south coast fishing community of Rencontre East. Leaving home as a teenager, he went on to join the merchant navy during the war.
He served aboard ships that ferried desperately needed supplies to Europe and remembers being anchored near the Statue of Liberty in New York harbour when word spread that the Japanese had surrendered and the conflict was over.
Downplaying his role in the war, Pauls once said it was “just an adventure, I suppose.”
Sheldon Antle, who is married to Pauls’ granddaughter, said Pauls meant a lot to their family, his home communities as well as the province.
“We’re very fortunate to have had him,” he told CBC Radio’s On the Go Thursday.
Even at 102, Antle said Pauls was still sharp.
“He had this way about him and everybody kind of wanted to be in his presence, whether it was so he could share a story about growing up in Rencontre or on the Great Lakes or sharing a few tidbits of what he saw during his time in the merchant marine.”
Since Pauls died, Antle said they’ve been looking over old pictures of Pauls and they will be working on arrangements for a celebration of life planned for Monday at the Holy Redeemer church in Spaniard’s Bay.
Like many who went through the Second World War, Antle said Pauls was humble about the experience and didn’t go into many details.
“He would often shake his head and say ‘the amount of destruction’ but again … he was there in New York one Victory Day. Just his whole life, like it’s so hard to sum it up in just one word,” said Antle.
Pauls returned home after the war, married and had a family. Antle said he continued to work on the water, including on cable ships.
For decades, Pauls was a fixture at Branch 9 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Spaniard’s Bay, where he long made his home. He was president for several years in the 1960s.
Antle said being an active member with the legion was how he gave back to his community.
“That was his duty, once he returned, was to see the legion set up. To see the legion grow. And to see the legion become what it is today,” he said.
In a previous interview with CBC News, branch president Paul Sheppard said Pauls, who was then 96, was indispensable to the branch.
“The legion would not function without him,” said Sheppard.
A little over two years ago, there was a community celebration to mark Pauls’ centenary, which was attended by more than 100 people.
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