The Funeral Service
After watching the service online, if you can leave a guest message to let the family know you have joined into the service, that would be greatly appreciated.
This service will have a password applied once edited (normally within 3 to 5 days following the service), you will then need to contact the family for the password to access.
My thoughts and thanks are with Jane, Ryan, Tara, Phillip, Dianne, Bev and Sarah after sharing your love, pain and grief so beautifully with us on Friday. You did Paul proud and I was beyond words and could not post my thoughts at that time. Sue did it for us. Now I have too many words looking back on 47 years of friendship from FTGully squash club days, so many social times then and since, and then through our recently created FTG reunion group of 8, sharing memories again. So cruelly cut short with Paul leaving us too quickly. And typically he held his cards too close to his chest the last year or so. Oh for a last chance for a proper talk.
My favourite sports writer, Greg Baum, wrote this morning while describing Ash Barty, after her Aussie Open win last night – “Its is possible to be special, proud and humble all at once”. Nothing better sums up my friend Paul. He competed without quarter. IF you won a point on court, in a match or even just in practice, you really earned it. If you were lucky enough to play with Paul in your team your gave your all and more because he inspired you with his example. No tantrums, no arguments, no excuses and no giving up. He taught me the true meaning of TEAM and I am sure all who knew Paul through sports administration know this. No gossip, no betraying confidences and he must have many stories to tell. One in a million and I will never forget him.
So very sad to hear about Paul. He always encouraged everyone to achieve their potential. He made our years playing squash at Ferntree Gully lots of fun and a great place to be. Lifetime friendships were made there due to Paul’s enthusiasm and capacity to engage with people. My condolences to his family. Thank you for making it possible to attend the service from afar.
The North West Squash League admired and respected Paul’s amazing knowledge and contribution he donated so generously and freely to our members, our League and to SRV. It will be with great difficulty that a person with such important qualities can be easily found again. His generosity of spirit and ability to treat individuals respectfully and with great personal value will be sadly missed.
Thank you for sharing your lives.
I played competitively (and mediocrely) for Ferntree Gully Squash when Paul owned it. I loved the Club. He really made it a special place. The people were special. It was rather like a family. They were memorable times. Thank you especially, Paul.
Thinking of you Tara and Ryan at this very sad time.
A lovely service, so fitting of the man.
A True Gentleman
Blessed to have known him
A larger than life character – I feel so privileged to have met him on a couple of occasions in London a few years back and have shared a bottle of wine at a bar next to my late father’s shoe shop. Being a sports fanatic, I found his sport stories most intriguing. Thank you Jane for letting me know him better – ever such a most emotional funeral service;. I’m pretty sure Paul will captivate all up in the skies with his anecdotes and jokes and have all drinking red wine!
Phillip and Pam xx
What a beautiful service to send of a great man.
From Greg Suter…
RIP Paul. Great guy who was loved by all. Thanks mate, for the great times at FTG Squash over so many years. You have been taken from us too soon. You will be greatly missed. Condolences to Jane and all the family.
As a 13 year old, I passed FTG squash to play tennis on Saturday, it was a wash out. Walked back past the squash courts and met you. My dad and uncle played there, cousin, sisters all of us played there. Ferntree Gully Squash our home away from home. You were my coach, my boss, as I cleaned the courts or behind the counter, you were also my friend. We spoke regularly taking the p-ss out of each other. So now as I 60 year old you are gone. A true man, a kind man, a man that will be sadly missed. Ryan and Tara I send my heartfelt love to you both. Jane may god wra his arms around you in this time. Belinda Alessio (Lindy Hill)
What a loss! Our hearts are broken.
Thank you for sharing this service so we could all be apart of saying goodbye and celebrating the life of Paul. You all did such a wonderful job of sharing his stories, photos and memories.
Paul has been such a fabulous inspiration and support to our entire family in both squash and racquetball. We are all richer for having had you in our lives. May you rest in peace.
Your legacy will live on forever! Michael, Cheryl, Lillian, Alex, Xavier and Amelia (Boss) Brigden xx
A wonderful service with so many people sharing their stories. And many that will be sadly missed but fondly remember forever RIP Paul
Some of the best years of our lives at Ferntree Gully squash were largely influenced by Paul and his capacity to draw people together in friendship and competition. He will be sadly missed by us and all who knew him.
Thank you Paul for shaping my life in terms of participating in a sport I loved and developing lifelong friendships. Your service today reinforced the impact you had on many people’s lives and your wonderful attributes in the professional arena as well as your devotion to your family and friends. I have fond memories of my involvement at Ferntree Gully squash courts as a youngster!
Such a beautiful person gone to soon. Paul, thanking you for all your support, patience, mentoring and most of all time you spent with me and all the juniors back in the FTG squash days. I have fond memories of those days and appreciate everything you did for me. Condolences to Ryan, Tara, Jane and family. We now have an extra star in the sky.
… a privilege to be able to see the depth and breadth of feeling evoked by Paul: a man who may now be perpetually present albeit eternally absent. What an awesome tribute to a man who accomplished so much.
Paul you have touched so many beautiful people, your door has always been open to anyone, no matter who it was you always would lend an ear, how you spread yourself around to so many people over the years is truly a skill that will be lost.
Tara and Ryan this service was very emotional for all, a tribute to your Dad that will not be forgotten.
We have been grateful for having been able to be part of this service.
Our condolences to all.
Well done Tara and Ryan on a exceptional tribute of your fathers life.Our thoughts are with you both at this very emotional time.Gary Pauline Callaway.
Will miss our lengthy phone chats and your mateship Paul. We are better people for having known you. Our thoughts and love to Jane and the family. Barry & Helen xxx
It was a privilege to be able to watch Paul’s funeral and learn more about his life. There were so many moving tributes which will give comfort to Jane, his children, all who knew and loved him and all those he came in contact with through his passion for sport and his work. He will live on in all those special memories and his stories, jokes and quotes will be told again and again.
With deepest sympathy
The Boman family
A very fitting service for a one of a kind person.
Thank you Paul for the great times at FTG squash. What a great era to be part of that center and you made it all possible. Thanks for the Monday night training session out at Waverley squash courts.
Then to finally play in the same team as you was a privilege when you formed a state team at FTG squash.
You will never be forgotten Paul and will be sadly missed.
Jane you introduced Myself and Annette to Paul when you were staying at Gladesville and what a lovely man he was, and i do remember a bottle of red being had. Beautiful service for a great man , he will be sadly missed.
Paul, you left such a huge impact on so many lives in so many levels, even at your funeral. A powerfully emotional service. Our group definitely will have a wine or two at Uluru in June for you. Jane, Paul will always be with you in soul and spirit. Vale Paul – a legend for many. Biggest hugs, KK & Tom xo
Love to you Jane and family on the passing of Paul. Hoping your wonderful memories bring you some comfort. A lovely service for a lovely man.
Jane, Ryan, Tara and extended family. We feel privileged to have participated in this tribute to Paul’s life. You all did a wonderful job of giving him the sendoff he deserved. He was a great friend and we have him to thank for many of our great memories of squash days at FTG Squash Centre and the many years since. Our sincerest condolences to you all.
RIP Paul condolences to all the family. An ex squashy from many years ago.
Beautiful service, very sad about the passing of a real lovely man, only to have met him couple times while Jane had friends over for Red Ace Cards at their home. It was very emotional watching this beautiful service. My deepest sympathy to his lovely partner Jane also to the families and those who loved him . RIP Paul.
Paul was one of the ‘good guys’, who always saw a solution to a problem and followed through on any request that one made. His knowledge and love of the sport was second to none and I, personally, am very grateful for the records that he kept, which has enabled me to fill in may of the gaps that would have occurred without his diligence.I will be dedicating the book I am currently writing on The Golden Age – A HIstory of Women’s Squash in Australia from 1930-2010, to him, the early pioneers of the game Betty Meagher and Judith Fitzgerald and, our greates female player, Heather McKay. Without these pathfinders much of this amazing success story would not have occurred. Thanks, Paul and my condolences to the family. A beautiful service. Barbara Slotemaker de Bruine
RIP Paul condolence to all the family. A ex squashy from many years ago.
I’m still in shock Paul. I thought you would be around forever, holding court.
So many happy memories which I will treasure for the rest of my life.
You were one in a million and will never be forgotten.
Condolences to Jane and Paul’s family.
‘Till we meet again may you R.I.P. Paul
Robyn Howard BKL
Thanks for mentoring me into squash administration, Paul. I was always in awe of your incredible knowledge of squash – it seemed like you knew everyone and everything! Rest easy in the knowledge that your influence lives on in so many people.
I was one of the lucky ones who enjoyed a couple of trips with him. We were friends and competitors.
Ken Mott, Upwey Squash & Fitness Centre.
Thanks for sharing the service
Our sincere condolences for your loss. May he rest in peace and his memory be eternal. Colin and Julia
Today’s service was a great tribute to Paul, a legend of Squash Victoria.
Beautiful service and send off Jane, Paul would be so proud. Treasure your precious memories of your many years together.
RIP Paul – the guy with a Golden Heart.
Paul, we are so very sorry we couldn’t attend in person, Jacob and myself shed some tears and had some laughs thinking back to all our fun tournaments with you. Thanks for all the good times, you will be remembered. Squash and racquetball will never be the same. Sending all our love to family and friends, Jacob and Zoe and kids. Xxx
My deepest sympathy to all who loved Paul. He was a lovely man treasured by many.
Farewell to a true gentleman who was a pleasure to always be around. Thank you Paul for helping our family on and off the court. Paul, Lisa, Jordan, Zach & Max Tamburini
A beautiful service for a beautiful man
What an amazing man Paul was and the funeral was absolutely beautiful. May be Rest in Peace. Diane and Mark Backholer
Condolences to Paul’s family and friends. RIP Paul. You’ve left a great legacy for our wonderful sport. We will do our best to continue your great passion for squash and racquetball.
An inspiration to all who knew him. You will be missed Paul
My sincere condolences for your loss. May he rest in peace and his memory be eternal x
A tireless worker for Squash and Racquetball. Will be missed by all the squash community.
A truly moving and memorable service which has done Paul’s life justice.
My deepest sympathies and condolences to all of Paul’s family from myself and all at Squash NSW. He has been a very large part of my squash journey, particularly in later years when he rejoined.
John Small
President
Squash NSW
As a Texan living in South Australia, I attended the 2018 Victorian Racquetball Open: Paul was very hospitable to me as a visitor from SA/TX — he will be missed but certainly not forgotten!
Will be missed.
Condolences to the family
What an amazing tribute to dear Paul who we so enjoyed being with when
He and Jane visited us… so very sad for the fact we will never be with him again.
Love and strength to all his family and friends. Lindsay & Helen Cunningham
Thank you Paul for all you gave to your sporting family, I was lucky to have met you and shared a lot of fun times with all, you will be sadly missed and memories will always be cherished cheers Liz Lopes, Thoughts and love to Jane and very grateful to have been able to join in with this celebration of his life – never forgotten
Sending all of our love thoughts to Paul’s family. He left a huge impact on all of us at Lakes Entrance and will be missed greatly!
Sending Love and Best Wishes to the entire Vear Families. A great champion for our Sports (Squash & Racquetball) will be greatly missed and never forgotten as Paul Vear’s legacy lives on. XOXO Paul Takacs
Thanks for all the memories Paul. It was a pleasure to know you and work with you at Squash & Racquetball Victoria. You will be missed.
Had the pleasure of working with Paul on a large number of Squash matters over the past 30 years. He always bent over backwards to assist me in my passion for collecting Squash memorabilia, the historical papers he wrote are an invaluable record of Squash in Victoria, and a must for anyone interested in the history of our game
A great loss to our sport
RIP Paul.
A lovely person who was always professional, passionate, and caring.
Our condolences to Paul’s family, friends, and squash community.
Sincerely, Sports Marketing Australia
Paul you’ll be greatly missed. I always enjoyed our interesting chats, and I admired how much you cared and believed in the topic at hand.
I hope you’re enjoying the Tina Turner live concert on the Saturday night Jukebox show :).
My love to Ryan, Tara, Jane and family xx
With love to you Jane
So sorry to hear of Paul’s passing.
He was a special man & will be greatly missed.
Yours in Squash
Barbara Jaeger
Friend of Denise Hill & family.
Thank you for being a large part of my squash and racquetball life, Paul. Your presence around the venues of Victoria and beyond will be sadly missed. You will leave massive shoes to fill in terms of your passion for the future of racquetball. I hope we are up for the task!
Paul, you were an amazing person and you had such a great influence on everyone you crossed paths with. You will be greatly missed
Great bloke, R.I.P.
An extraordinary man with such energy. An inspiration. A gentleman. A big loss to us all.
Rest In Peace Paul. Best Wishes to the family.
Very sad to hear of Paul’s passing, like many in the squash and racquetball world, our relationship spans decades (even even 3 generations within my own family) so it’s hard to imagine him not being around anymore but we are grateful for the impact he has had and support has given over the years. Condolences to Jane, Ryan, Tara and family.
Sad to hear of Paul’s passing. A friend and competitor for many years, will be missed.
A tremendous loss to the squash and racquetball community.
Paul, thanks for being part of my life as a squash player both on my side, and as an unrelenting opponent, with the biggest backside to try to get past. Thanks also for your support in my squash and racquetball admin life, and professionally as auditor/accountant of VicSquash, and in sharing your goals and dreams for S&R.
Thank you Paul for being such a wonderful person and for all the tireless work you did to advance Squash and Racquetball. You enriched lives wherever you went. Jane lots of love always. A great man has found peace at last xx
Thanks for all the help and guidance in my racquetball/squash life Paul. I have known you since the first tournament all those years ago. Appreciated your support whilst beig a Venue Operator and on the Board. You will be greatly missed. My condolences to Jane and family. Sorry i couldn’t be there in person.
will be missed by all who knew him great for all
Thinking of you Ryan ,Tara and family. Paul will be sadly missed . Val and Leigh.
Such a great bloke gone too soon much love to Jane as we spent some time together at Darwin where it was great to see Paul so involved in the running of the first tournament up there. Sorry I can’t attend in person but will be watching the live stream.
Thank you, Paul, for a life you devoted to the promotion and administration of squash and racquetball. A top squash and racquetball player and administrator. We will certainly miss you at our Healesville Shedders gatherings. The world is better for you having been here. Rest in peace Paul. You will certainly be missed.
alan collins says:
very sad to hear about Paul, great bloke.I knew Paul in the old freeway sports centre days he all ways had a good word for everybody ,as the years passed by I used to see Paul at squash centres during pennant where we all ways said hello.He was still the same Paul.I will sadly miss his happy face.
very sad to hear about Paul, great bloke.I knew Paul in the old freeway sports centre days he all ways had a good word for everybody ,as the years passed by I used to see Paul at squash centres during pennant where we all ways said hello.He was still the same Paul.I will sadly miss his happy face.