Paul passed away at home on October 26, 2021 with his wife Jacinta at his side. Paul had a valiant fight with esophageal cancer and was still hopeful for treatment until his final days. Since being diagnosed, he missed his work but he was happy to get extra time with his grandson Davy. He spent lots of time with Davy outside, walking down Wellington Crescent. He is survived by his loving wife, Jacinta as well as his two children, Lyra and David. His eldest sister Rosemarie passed away in 2018 but his other sisters, Marianne and Carmen mourn his passing.

 

Paul was born and lived his life in Winnipeg. He was always proud of his parents, Paul and Else Barchet. In childhood he delivered groceries with his wagon for the family business, Barchet’s Grocery, in Wolseley. He and his family attended St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where he met his lifetime friends Brian and Rob. Paul felt that his education at St. Paul’s High School was indispensable for doing well in university. He was still quoting Shakespeare from his University of Winnipeg English class until he met his own “gloomy shade of death”.

 

Paul’s post-high school rebellion included working at Coldstream as a sheet metal worker. After a life-changing car accident, he sold his stereo, moved back home and started university. He initially planned to go into nursing, but because he had to take chemistry he thought he might as well do medical school. While in medical school, he met Jacinta and married into a large, loud, extended family. He loved Jacinta’s slight Portuguese accent and he enjoyed the company of his in-laws, John, Emmanuel, Joe and Lucia and their spouses.

 

After completing his medical training at the University of Manitoba he thought he would do orthopedic surgery but made the paradoxical choice and went into psychiatry. He worked at SMHC for over 25 years.  Eventually becoming Medical Director and continued in that role until his retirement in 2016. He also worked at the IRHA with a big vibrant team, covered call for the CSU in Selkirk and went up north, specifically to Norway House working with Ed and Ida for years.

 

Paul had many foibles including cigars, Appflecorn, collecting CD, buying computer parts. He liked to tinker on his boat and would prefer to do everything himself around the house. He was a homebody who loved to work on his computers, research purchases for himself and others and listen to prog-rock loudly. He did step outside house to go to the cottage, travel with family, and went on several cruises. Many fond memories were made on these trips. While travelling he preferred to spend the whole time roasting himself in the sun while he read Sci-Fi. Above all, he loved his family and before he passed, he felt he had lived a good life.

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Celebrations of Paul's life was held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 603 Wellington Crescent (Unitarian Church).