I arrived early and sat with my 12-year-old son Mason who knew and liked Paul as well. We sat as close as we could to the front. As soon as I settled in, the very reason that we were all there started to weigh heavily upon me, tears were consistent the entire 2 plus hours that I sat there.

It was a pleasant looking church, like all churches it was spacious and clean and in fact had a calming effect even if I couldn’t keep my eyes or throat clear of tears. It was certainly fitting for our last goodbye to our friend.

I listened intently to everyone who spoke, Paul’s sister, the board members, the Constables, his wife Diana and friends. All the time while listening, I was sitting patiently, waiting and ready until my time would come to speak. Everyone told a little story of how Paul had bamboozled many of them into becoming a Team Continuum runner or sponsor or participant in some way. They also spoke about his boundless, giving ways, they each expressed a small part of who he was and how he lived so vibrantly and how he undauntingly championed a cause that most in this world couldn’t fathom.

Everyone stood upon the dais in front of the podium and told a story of a man who gave his all and then gave it again until he was breathless from the effort and then gave again! Their words made Paul seem like the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World, only Paul weighed in as a Featherweight; he was obviously the Hero that Championed us all in some way. Paul was fearless in his tireless pursuit of a Tyrant we call Cancer. Paul spared himself no time, no luxury to rest, he gave the beast no reason to stay, and Paul attacked not only his Cancer but also the Cancer that plagued us all on every front. Paul stood at the pinnacle of the fight and never gave an inch.

Paul unerringly had a gift, many in fact. Paul could make everyone who stood before him give in to his will, many of those at the Memorial gave full testimony to that end. Paul also had an endlessly giving nature. Those that he indentured, those that were needy and those that he passed by in the streets can bear witness to this. Paul had this way of introducing someone, as if they were the best at whatever it was they did for a living. I own a security company and at every introduction, you would think that my company was worldwide and that if it weren’t for me, no one would ever be safe. His words were always flawless; he made everyone seem like a shining star, it was great feeling to be introduced by Paul. It was also a great feeling to be Paul’s friend.

Back to the moment of it becoming my turn to speak at the memorial. First, let me fill you in a little bit about myself. I am a 6-foot tall 300 lb man, a bit heavy sure but pretty solid. I am a former United States Marine and once, during a training/evaluation exercise directly contributed to saving another Marines life. I am a 5th degree Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu with 26 years of training and practical application. I have taught combat self-defense while in the Marine Corps and have taught about a thousand students over this time. I have been accredited with many awards, Master Instructor of the Year, as awarded by Grandmasters from across the globe. I have skydived, jumped out of moving helicopters into the sea, bungee jumped off of the Manhattan Bridge in the black of the night, I have fought in martial arts tournaments both in NY and across world when I was in the Marine Corps. I have body guarded some of the world’s ‘toughest’ rappers and at the drop of a hat, I can take charge of a critical situation without fear or missing a beat’. All of this and when I was in Paul’s presence, I felt small. Not insignificant, anyone with Paul was never that but, I felt small in comparison. Paul had that way about him that had everyone thinking he was giant or was standing on stilts and he was 20-feet tall. And, he would look down to speak to us, not in a bad way, just his way of being that had us all, looking up to him. His greatness preceded him and is his legacy.

While staring at the podium I was waiting to go up, I kept saying to myself that I would go next, I would go next. Tears were constantly choking me. I couldn’t see and kept wiping my nose and eyes on my hands and sleeves. I kept thinking of how hard this might be on my son who was sitting next to me, watching me cry. I couldn’t help myself. In the end I never spoke at the memorial so here I sit writing this down.

When it was over, I went to the man who I found out was Paul’s son, their likeness was obvious. I introduced myself and told him what his father meant to me, I reached out to hug him and did so but honestly didn’t want to let go. I went upstairs to leave, my car was directly outside and standing outside of the Church was Diana, Paul’s wife. I said hello and reintroduced my son. She commented on how tall he’s become. Diana recalled how Paul and Mason holding the Olympic Torch took photos together the day that Paul was involved in the Torch Pass. Lastly, Diana told me how Paul loved me so. It was that comment that made my day, it was that single comment that made this as sad and as wonderful a day as it could be. I said my goodbyes to Diana as she turned to talk to another Paul’s friends.

As I drove off, I was able to feel good about the day. Diana telling me that Paul loved me meant that Paul at some point must have told this to Diana. I will always hold on to that.

Glen Beck

Our hearts go out to Paul’s family. We will keep you in our prayers.

Paul you will always be in our hearts…and in our memories…and may the pain be lifted finally so your spirit may continue to soar.

Jackie and Ed Brozynski