Paul Corfield of Elsie Bay/Little Harbour died from cancer at Princess Alexandra Hospital on Thursday, April 7. Canadian born Paul had an Anguilla heart. For the past 18 years he resided on island for 6 months each year with partner Karen Greenaway.
A glass and driftwood artist, with vision and imagination, Paul was capable of doing everything with his hands – and always needed to be creating or fixing or building loose stone walls or anything else that came to mind. With a great sense of humour he developed a multitude of friends on island. Street name? Pablo and Poncho!
As someone who ate all the proper foods, exercised, did not smoke, did all the “right” things expecting to live beyond his 65 years – his cancer of the past few years, along with multiple strokes for 2 years, were totally unexpected. Despite the horrors and pain he faced, he never pitied himself.
Fortunately, he was wise enough to leave his partnership in a Graphic Design company in London, Ontario at the age of 47, and begin a new life in the country following the sudden passing of his first wife. After meeting Karen, a result of his first Anguilla visit, they physically built his studio in a beautiful UNESCO World Biosphere protected area, north of Toronto, to carry on with his stained glass craft. As a result, his work was shown in many galleries and he was a participant in annual art shows and a volunteer with the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Together, he and Karen travelled throughout the world accumulating hundreds of glorious memories and savouring their numerous adventures. How grateful we are that Paul chose to LIVE during that time, and not wait until he had more money or was older or whatever – a great reminder to us all not to wait to follow our heart.
Paul was the recipient of the AARF volunteer of the year award and, as a sailor, he happily volunteered with the Anguilla Sailing School and Regattas. His artwork is seen at the Devonish Gallery.
In addition to Karen, he leaves behind his 3 adopted Anguillian children: Cats Eliza, Scout, Lucky – and in Canada, his closest family, niece Megan, husband Jared, daughter Iris, Elsa their adopted Anguilla dog, along with innumerable friends.
Many thanks to Dr. Lowell Hughes for his compassion and kindness over the years, and to Dr. Richardson and the hospital staff for his recent admissions. Gratitude as well to Paul’s home nurses Angella Bramwell and ChristIne Waite Dolphin, for their love, care and concern.
The number of friends who have reached out, cared, cried, helped, written a song in his memory, or stayed at magical La Petite Maison d’Amour, has been astonishing and heartwarming – we shall be forever grateful.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to AARF (Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation) or the Anguilla Sailing School. At a later date an informal celebration of Paul’s life will held here in his memory.
