Funeral Notices - The Funeral Notice

Paul Reginald Chamberlain

4/3/1951 - 23/10/2023

Obituary For Paul Reginald Chamberlain

It is with great sadness that the Chamberlain family announce the death of Paul Reginald Chamberlain born 4/3/51. He passed suddenly, but peacefully at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Monday 23rd October 2023 at 08.32am. He was 72 years old.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years; Becky and his children Emma, Andrew, Aaron and Stephen. He also had 12 grandchildren: Ethan & Caelan (O'Connor), Ben, Alex, Paul, Emily, Fern, Anise, Harriett, Evie, Beth Chamberlain & honourary granddaughter Daisy. He has been reunited with his late son, Nicholas.

He had many jobs during the span of a working life that started in his early teens. Highlights include steeplejack, private investigator, retail security, facilities management for a large oil industry company. The vast majority of his working life was with the Royal Air Force Police. He was a veteran of Northern Ireland, Belize and Falkland Islands conflicts. He specialised in counter intelligence: a period of his life we could tell you about...but we'd have to kill you afterwards. He gained the rank of Flight Sergeant and was awarded numerous medals during his service.

He saved children from a fire in his teens. Stopped a robbery in a shop in 2004. He also was involved in offering micro-loans to those in need, so they can start there own small businesses. He was an avid fisherman but, also enjoyed jewellery making.

He will be massively missed as the patriarch of out little clan.

Here is a poem he referred to and shared throughout his life. It contains the kind of sage wisdom you could expect from Paul.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Can we also recommend his favourite piece of music: Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26.

As per his request he is to be cremated in an unattended service. We will, however, post the date and time on the group chat. If you wish you can take a moment to reflect at that time. Memorial service(s) will be arranged in 2024.

We hope your grief is short and leaves you able to remember the good, crazy and sarcastic times, we've all had with Paul, with a smile or a laugh.

Cremation to take place Wednesday 8th November at 10.30am. No flowers are needed but, feel free to make a donation to your favourite charity instead.

Emma O'Connor: on behalf of the Chamberlain Clan.

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Condolence Messages

02/11/2023

Betty Light

Thinking of everyone at this sad time x
29/10/2023

Susanna

I first met Paul at a school board meeting in the mid nineties. I immediately warmed to his direct and no nonsense approach with the headmistress, when he felt some changes were necessary! His wry wit and ability to navigate tricky waters were masterful to me. He was a good and kind advocate for what he believed in. I am most grateful however, for giving me an exceptional son in law in Stephen, who himself has some of his father's qualities. Without you Paul, there would be no Stephen, and without Stephen, I would be lacking four wonderful granddaughters in Anise, Harriett, Evie and Beth. What a great legacy you have left us. Xx
29/10/2023

Stephen Chamberlain

My grandad was my best friend. From when I was little I looked up to grandad as a hero. A strong but gentle man who I could trust. Although I haven't seen him as much these past years, I still saw him as all these things and always will. One of my favourite memories is grandad driving my older sister (Anise) and I to school in winter. The roads where icy but grandad was adamant on driving us to school as usual. We got to a sharp turn and the tire slipped and we went flying into a bush. Of course though (in classic grandad fashion) he chuckled and said "Whoops! Don't tell Nonnie about that!" And continued to drive us to school. I have so many other amazing memories with him but this one sticks out to me and always makes me giggle thinking about it. -Harriett
28/10/2023

Guy Bastable

Paul, I was so sad to hear on Monday morning that we had lost you. I always thought of you as a man of great honour and integrity; I hope you knew that. I loved to see photos of you with your grandkids, and seeing in your face, and especially your eyes, the oh-so-obvious love and delight in each one. Rest in peace, dear friend. Guy
26/10/2023

Becky Chamberlain Jr

I first met Paul, my future father-in-law, in 2003 when Andy took me to meet his family. He arrived back from work, no doubt tired from another day at the grind, but still made me feel so welcome in his home - and that was always the same on every occasion, as Andy and I got engaged, married and eventually had children. It was always clear that Paul adored his grandchildren, and I witnessed his bond with every one of them as babies, toddlers, children and young adults. It always seemed effortless for him to connect with them from their earliest moments, and they clearly adored him too. I've known for many years what a position of love, reverence and respect he held within his family, and this will always be remembered and cherished by us all - and so will his striking blue eyes, which he gave to his son, my husband - and which I saw as soon as our second son opened his eyes for the first time.
26/10/2023

Eileen
26/10/2023

Roderick O'Connor

My First memory of Paul. I had met Emma (just after she turned 19) at PC World in Glasgow way back in 1996. We had similar tastes in music, films and so on and got on well. One day she said she wanted to take me back to her family home to meet "The Folks". I had been informed through the PC World grapevine that the father of Emma was a great bear of a man that could intimidate with a mere look. Paul was the Security Manager for PC World Aberdeen: legendary for having Zero Losses in stock through shoplifting or dodgy staff(!) This is something unheard of in Retail. Emma and I made our way across Scotland to Stuartfield by various busses, and met Becky, Aaron and Stephen at the front door. Just two of the boys in the family (but from downstairs sounded like more!) A couple of hours later, Father Paul got home from work ... Oh my ... My casual hug of Emma on the sofa was abandoned as my future Father in Law appeared framed in the doorway. An image of Odin the Viking brought to life. (I think fearing for my life.) I moved quickly from next to Emma, to Paul's distant groove in the sofa where he normally sat. "Rod! That's were my Dad sits!" Warned Emma of my blunder ... Fortunately I survived the encounter, and eventually got to call Paul "Dad", and grew to seek his advice and help on many occasions. I've met few people who have had such an impact on my life as Paul (... apart from his daughter). I know we won't forget him, for as long as we are all kicking about.
26/10/2023

Andy

Just wanted to share some words Dad put in an e-mail with me that made me smile... 'Your Mum and I were blessed 4 times and have never had any reason to question or regret the event, children are what it is all about. You may rest in knowing that you have and will always have our love, respect and appreciation for how you have, and continue to, carry the name.'
26/10/2023

Andy

Asked Alex at breakfast what he remembers of Grandad- he remembered him and the cousins getting Dad to remove his 'Robotic' leg (as he put it).