I grew up thinking that's what people did. They welcome the outcasts, they reach out to the lost, they take time to look deeper and try to really see, they mean it when they ask "How are you?". I have learned that isn't what people usually do, but that is what he did. He wasn't perfect, and by his own recalling it took him awhile to see what priorities were most important, but by the time I knew him well he had become a ministering spirit. He came into my life in a big way when I was 12. We needed him and he knew it. We were already family, but he welcomed us closer. He invited us to join the gatherings of him and his children. I think now that the hearts of some of his children were not as generous, but I did not know that at the time and I was delighted to be loved and part of a family that took the time to talk about important things. Without him I would not have many of the most precious memories of that time in my life. Without him I would have been lost. With much sorrow I say farewell to my dear Uncle Paul Sangree. No longer will we have the pleasure of your encouragement, but we will remember you always with fondness. I hope for a reuniting in the hereafter. I love you. I thank you. I miss you.He is gone, and I understand a little more what it means to be human.
4 comments:
Thank you for your poem and tribute for you Uncle Paul. He was a mentor and responded to every email I sent with encouraging words and regularly prayed for me. His last comment was precious as usual: "Your news letter affirms me you are serving the Village people with the Good News." Could you please post a link of his obituary?
Paul Clausen Sangree, 80, of Lancaster, entered into the joy of his Lord surrounded by family members on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at Lancaster General Hospital after a brief battle with t-cell lymphoma.
Paul was born to George and Louise (Clausen) Sangree on April 13, 1930 in Harrisburg, PA. He is survived by his second wife, Martha (Gingrich Charles) Sangree, his three children: Karl Sangree, of Hatboro, Allen Sangree, husband of Allison, of Harrisburg, Jill, wife of Kenneth Ross, of Etters; 8 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 4 step-children, Stephen Charles, of Bethesda, MD, Samuel Charles, of Northeast, MD, Eunice Charles, of Hackensack, NJ, and Jesse Charles, of Lancaster, PA; 9 step-grandchildren; his step-mother, Evelyn (Lerch) Sangree; his sisters, Carol Tweedale, wife of William, Georgie Lang, Joy Gwinn, Faith Windish and his brother, David Sangree.
Paul was a graduate of Harrisburg Schools and attended Kutztown State College where he met his first wife, Patricia (Thomas) Sangree. Patricia went to be with the Lord in 1997. He studied art and architecture at the Cooper Union College in New York City, became a draftsman and then an architect. Later, he established the Environmental Design Collaborative in Philadelphia.
A devastating house fire in 1970 led to his conversion to Christ and an intensive two-year study of the Bible. This led to becoming a Mennonite Pastor in Schubert, Harrisburg, Masonville and an interim pastor at the Marietta Community Chapel where he was member until his death. He spent his last years with a passion for mentoring men and was completing a manuscript on Discipleship entitled, "Take My Yoke".
In keeping with Paul's wishes, there will be no viewing. Paul had donated his body for scientific study. A Memorial Service will be held at the Landisville Mennonite Church, 3320 Bowman Road, Landisville, PA 17538, on Sunday August 15, 2010 at 3 pm. Friends may visit with the family at the church on Sunday between 2 and 3 pm. Kindly omit flowers. Memorial Remembrances can be made in Paul's memory to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 or to his church, Marietta Community Chapel, 1125 River Road, Marietta, PA 17547.
The Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home, 320 Blue Rock Road, Millersville, PA, 717-872-2266, is honored to serve the Sangree Family. For on-line condolences, directions or other information, you are welcome to visit our website at: www.scheidfuneralhome.com www.pennlive.com/obits
http://obits.pennlive.com/obituaries/pennlive/obituary.aspx?n=paul-clausen-sangree&pid=144064613
I miss him and I cry because he could not stay longer. Thank you for posting your memories and giving him the beautiful tribute he so deserved.
You were more than a niece to him. He loved you deeply. He came to see us on Memorial Day for a reason. We were his other family. He said his good-byes to our family in his gentle loving way.
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