Paul Gervais

A loving husband, father, son and brother has been delivered into the hands of our loving Father and Savior. Paul L. Gervais passed away on March 3, 2018 with full love in his heart.

Paul grew up in the Springfield, Massachusetts area where, as a young boy, he liked to dress up as Paul McCartney with a wig and toy guitar, singing “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” Paul’s youth was spent skiing, water skiing, running around the neighborhood, and enjoying time at the lake cabin his family built. He loved steamers, a fresh fried clam roll, lobster, a good steak and his beloved tequila. In high school, Paul visited Steamboat Springs where he experienced an epic all-night snow storm and awakened to a blue Colorado sky. His love of Colorado began.

After high school graduation, Paul followed his dream and went west. He and a buddy drove to California. Once in California, Paul held a variety of jobs and ultimately ended up in San Francisco living with his uncle. A friend from New England came to visit and left a brochure for Fort Lewis College. Paul read the brochure and noticed that there was a way to go to school and ski. Paul moved to Durango.

After graduating Fort Lewis College in 1982, Paul moved to Denver. Much to his delight, he began bartending while studying for his CPA exams. The story changes from here. Paul met Catherine, his wife of 32 years, while bartending, because she was, of course, the cocktail waitress.

Married in 1986, Catherine and Paul enjoyed married life for six years before welcoming their first daughter, Leah. Three years after, Abby was born and three years after that, they were blessed with their third beautiful daughter, Ellie. During these early years, Paul started his CPA firm, while all the time being an attentive, active, loving, husband and father. Paul also earned his Master’s in Taxation from the University of Denver.

The loving, caring husband and father was all that and more: mountain biker, skier, hiker, runner, friend, sailor, traveler, tennis player, mountain climber, rock climber, grill chef, storyteller, businessman and friend to all. His love of life has been shared with his wife and children, leaving a legacy of love and hope for all.

The perfect combination was found when the family moved to Durango in 1999. The balance of his professional life, family, love of mountains and all outdoor sporting adventures fulfilled his life. His family was blessed to have him and are grieving with heavy hearts, but with the hope of seeing him again one day.

Paul is survived by his wife Catherine and three daughters; Leah, Abby and Ellie. He is also survived by mother Lorraine Gervais; sisters Lynn Gervais-Jones and husband Lee and niece Meghan, Donna Goulet and husband Rick; nieces Juliette and Renee. His father Paul Gervais Sr. passed away in March of 2005.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: http://www.know-your-dough.org or St. Jude’s Children Hospital.

A service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive, Durango, Colorado on Friday, March 9, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.