HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, N.L. — Tommy Paul was known to many in central and southern Labrador. A familiar face at some of the more high-traffic places in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Paul was always quick to hold a door or offer a smile. The 47-year-old died on May 14 after being found unresponsive in a wooded area in town, and his family said the outpouring of support they’ve received from the people who knew him has been incredible.
Audrey Paul, Tommy’s niece, said a lot of people have contacted his family since his death to express their condolences.
“Everywhere I’ve been since it happened someone has something to say to me about him,” she said. “It’s good knowing that our community comes together when something like this happens. It’s nice to have all this support and see how much he was loved.”
She said he was always in a good mood and she can’t recall once in her life seeing him angry.
Audrey said Tommy would go above and beyond for anyone and help them any way he could.
“It was the little things that counted for him," she said. "He tried to do anything for anyone.”
She said he loved helping out and often volunteered at community events. He was proud of the community, she said, and proud of being a Labradorian.
Muskrat Falls
Paul was one of a number of Labradorians charged after the Muskrat Falls protests in 2016 and was one of about 60 who occupied the site. Audrey said Tommy and his brother, Aubrey, her father, went in on the second night of the occupation because they wanted to stand up for Labrador.
“They weren’t OK with Muskrat Falls. It was important to them,” she said. “Everything that was going on with Muskrat Falls, they didn’t agree with it and wanted to fight for Labrador.”
Dennis Burden, one of the other people who occupied the site, said it was encouraging when the brothers showed up, soaked to the bone, and that Tommy added humour and levity to the situation.
Audrey said that sounded like her uncle, always trying to make others laugh.
“He was always in a good mood. He wanted to keep people happy, keep people together,” she said.
More support needed
Audrey said the family was informed that Paul died of a heart attack, which was a relief to them.
“We thought it was suspicious, where it was the fourth death in the past year,” she said. “It gives us peace.”
Paul was found in a wooded region of town near where another person was found deceased in November 2019, and the cause of death was never determined. Two other sudden deaths in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in the last year were ruled not suspicious.
The area is known for people drinking and partying in the woods, and Audrey said more could be done.
“I think the area should be patrolled more frequently,” she said. “It’s really sad that four people have died this year. I think if the RCMP and town cops were steady with it, it could get a little bit better.”
Audrey said she understands the issue with the mostly transient population in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is complex, but more enforcement, more resources, and more co-operation between the groups dealing with the vulnerable population would help.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP told SaltWire Network they have had ongoing concerns with the number of individuals who congregate and set up makeshift tents and shelters along trails in the town.
“We conduct regular patrols, as does the municipal bylaw enforcement officer, and continue to monitor the areas involved,” the RCMP said in a statement.
Evan Careen is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Labrador for SaltWire Network.
