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  3. Fairwell friend (Paul McGraw)

  • Fairwell friend (Paul McGraw)

    G
    G
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    A dear friend and contributor of this forum has passed away.

    His wife left this message on her FB wall:

    Carol McGraw

    I have sad news about my husband Paul McGraw. Paul passed away at home on Saturday night. As you may know, he has been very ill for the past year, especially since October, due to congestive heart failure, multiple myeloma, COPD, diabetes, and degenerative spine and discs conditions. The last few months of his life he was in ever-increasing pain.
    He was ready to go home to Heaven, so we family members who survive here on Earth must remember that he is there in peace with no pain and no failing body.
    Paul had many talents. He especially enjoyed composing orchestral music via computer programs. It would be a wonderful tribute to his memory if you would listen to some of his compositions on his YouTube channel. (Just search for Paul McGraw.)
    I've added a few pictures from happier times. ❤️
  • J
    J

    Well this certainly is sad news.

    Paul was a talented composer who had a knack for creating inspirational brass ensemble pieces.  He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace

    My condolences to his wife, family and friends.
  • M
    M

    That's sad news, in the first place for his wife and other family. But also for the members of this forum. He contributed always in such a positive way. More than once he helped me with pieces I placed on this forum. 
    Also his music on this forum brought always beautiful moments when listening to it.
    Although I just knew him from the few times we were in contact through this forum, I will miss him.
    Of course my condolences for his wife, family and friends.
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP
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    That’s very sad news indeed. 

    We will miss his positive attitude, always encouraging his fellow musicians with a big heart and great ears!

    My favorite quote from Paul, just in a recent post:

    “Don’t wait, just get started. Have fun with it! Composing has no calories! 😎”

    Sums it up for me! Dear Paul, you and your contributions to this community will be dearly missed!

    Our condolences for his wife, family and friends. 

    Paul Kopf Product Manager VSL
  • DietzD
    VSL Team
    DietzD

    That's so sad. Paul was one of the strongholds of this forum. :-( 

    I never met him in person, which is a real pity, but from his messages he must have been an alert, yet warm-hearted man, and a highly knowledgeable musician at that..

    All the best, Paul - wherever you are now. You have left permanent traces here.

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • W
    W

    I am so sorry to hear of this - he was a wonderful composer and friend - I wanted to hear more of his fabulous pieces and always looked forward to hearing something by him on this Forum.  
  • W
    W

    One thing I had to add on a personal note -  Paul was very encouraging to me with my music, and we both commiserated about how hard it was to get orchestal music played these days!  Also, two of his pieces are among my favorites I ever heard on this Forum - "Tennessee River Portrait" and "Once upon a Midnight Grimm"  - they are such great tone poems.  I think one of the best things about this Forum has been to bring such fine music as his to light.  
  • stephen limbaughS
    stephen limbaughS
    Ahh that’s really too bad. Thoughts and prayers for his survivors.
  • S
    S

    Paul would be pleased to see all positive comments and recognition from his friends and fellow composers.  The encouragement and positive attitude Paul shared with everyone seems to have rubbed off on so many of his friends.  One couldn't wish for a better legacy.
  • Fabio BiolcatiF
    Fabio BiolcatiF

    Sorry to hear this. A great loss for the Community. My  condolences to Paul's family.

    VI Special Edition 1-3, Reaper, MuseScore 3, Notion 3 (collecting dust), vst flotsam and jetsam
  • K
    K

    Blessings to Paul on his journey. Condolences to his family.
  • S
    S

    This is very sad news.
  • E
    E

    This is the first obituary I believe I have seen in the 18 years of the forum. A painful reminder of how fast great chunks of time pass.

    My sincere condolences to Mrs. McGraw for her recent loss.
  • MackerM
    MackerM

    I was moved on hearing of Paul's passing. In my short time on this forum I'd noticed his tremendous generosity of spirit, yet also sensed something of the personal burden he hid from us - though I had no idea he was so ill.

    Might I offer this musical eulogy, written by another of life's great givers, J S Bach. This piece, rarely for Bach, ventures into the territory of grief and tragedy (BWV 721):–

       "Erbarm dich mein, O Herre Gott" [Have mercy on me, O Lord God]

    Played by Yves Castagnet on the organ at St Sulpice cathedral, Paris, 2016