Growing Up
9 Comments Paul and Johan grew up in Melrose Park, a suburb of Chicago. His father Paul owned a drugstore where his mother, Paul, and Johan worked. (It is said that Elizabeth, Paul’s mother” would always have a fresh pot of homemade soup on the stove and the police would come in for the soup – thus there were no robberies as police cars were parked in the front).
Paul would stock shelves, help customers, and make deliveries. He always received tips from the customers as they thought he was adorable. His wage for working was a candy bar at the end of the day.
Paul’s mother created a needlepoint that said
“if,
you can’t say anything nice about someone else,
Come here and sit next to
me.”
What a fun character she must have been!
Paul’s Mom was a very special loving person, so different from my own mother. When I would ride out to their little house on Lake Holiday in Somanuk, she would always stop by the bed in the basement to kiss me goodnight. I was an unkempt, 22 year old motorcycle bum, but she treated me like I was her baby. She was over flowing with love for anyone Paul brought around.
I never knew what came to befall Johan. She loved to ice skate and I have wonderful memories of skating on the lake in Somanuk with her. She always had a slew of boyfriends so I never had a chance of knowing her other than as a friend. When I would ride down to Atlanta her place in Carbondale was the mid way point and I stopped overnight for a break. I have a photo somewhere of her on my bike and she looks as though she doesn’t have a care in the world. I remember Paul telling me a story about a birthday present from Johan- a blank check. He never cashed it and kept it as a reminder of how much she loved him.
His parents, Paul and Johan would take long car trips in the summer to Las Vegas, Mexico City, Arizona, etc.. I think because of those experiences, he loved taking long car rides cross country as an adult!
So sorry to hear that Paul has passed. I haven’t seen him in 50 years but in the 60’s I spent a lot of time at his home in Melrose Park as I was also a dear friend of Joanne Seems like yesterday playing their piano in their homes living room. We were teens and Paul was a great guy and I’m sure as the years went by he just grew greater. I am truly sorry for your loss but take heart that you will be with him again. Again please give Joanne my love
Again thank you for sharing and it does sadden me that both Paul And Joanne have passed. I have wonderful memories of both of them who were in my life in my true true youth. Take care and keep the faith
I love the story about his mother with the pot of homemade soup and the police officers. How special!
Paul was in the school band and played the trombone. Whenever he practiced, his dog would howl so to save his dog ear pain, he stopped practicing. He would go to the school band parades and fake that he was playing, His sensitivity and compassion always astounds me.
Paul was at a party in high school wwith no parent supervision. The police came to break up the party. Paul was so skinny that he went under a bed and never got caught. His friends ditched him for awhile.