Student honored in memorial
Miranda Bloodworth
Issue date: 2/19/03 Section: News
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Close friends Thuyha Pham, Denise Cappazelo and Barry Parasram wanted a way for students and faculty to honor Paul.
"We wanted to have a memorial for the people who did not have a chance to go to the funeral and for the students to show our respect for a wonderful guy," said Thuyha Pham.
Dyson College of Arts and Sciences Dean Marijo O'Grady and Hope Riley, assistant director of campus activities, arranged for the Faculty Dining Hall to house the memorial. By holding a memorial at the school, they provided many of his friends with the chance to show their admiration of Paul and give their condolences to his family.
A service was provided for Paul with white roses, candlelight and photos of friends. Attendees, upon entering, could reminisce with their fellow students as they looked at the array of pictures collected for the memorial. In attendance were Paul's family and fifty of his closest friends from Pace. Parasram described his friend as "outgoing" and said that Paul "had no problems with anyone."
"Paul was a great leader on campus, who was truly admired by his friends," said Dean O'Grady.
Tara Israel, Paul's younger sister, spoke at the memorial, along with many friends. Barry Parasram recited a poem that he had written to express his grief at the loss of a great friend. The poem, "To Realize," ended with the heartfelt statement: "To realize a value of a friend: lose one."
"He was our brother," reflected close friend Dennis Vallone.