Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician

Subject: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: GUEST,Skivee, guesting in
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 02:39 AM

We got the very sad news today that Paul DiBlasi, our friend, Pyrates Royale bandmate emeritus, and one of the sweetest people I've known, has died suddenly early Monday morning from complications of his bladder cancer and treatment.
He was in the band for seven years before moving on to concentrate on music and performance with his wife Janie Meneely. They performed as Calico Jack.
This is a huge shock.
Paul had just played Saturday at a new sea-shanty and sea-lore Janie organized festival the Naval Heritage Center in DC.
He'd had multiple fairly recent surgeries and procedures which left him feeling pretty beat up.
Janie took him to the local hospital Sunday after he fell ill.
He suffered internal hemorrhaging and a problem with blood chemistry.
The doctors thought they had things under control until he had a major set-beck around midnight
Two heart failures followed; and he faded away at the second before dawn.

I am angry at the universe right now.

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 08:54 AM

RIP Paul.

I am sorry for your loss, Skivee. We are all only on loan here and it is hard to lose a friend.
Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: GUEST,Skivee-guesting in
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 01:25 PM

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 02:23 PM

All I could think of was... I am so fortunate to have known a great, talented guy like Paul for a few years...

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: Genie
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 03:03 PM

And I'm fortunate to have met Paul and Janie at Getaway in 2010 and enjoyed their live music performance.

Paul's departure is very sad news, and my deepest condolences to Janie and to all of Paul's family and friends.

Genie

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: GUEST,Jim Rockwell
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 04:02 PM

Paul was a good man. I remember when I first met him at one of our attempts to put together a chantey sing in Old Town Alexandria about 15 or 16 years ago. I loved his voice but more importantly I loved to watch him when he sang. His eyes would be alight, his face animated and eventually he'd get his whole body engaged.

I was fortunate to catch up with him over a beer at the Hampton Blackbeard Festival. He was looking a little grey; but, as always, in good spirits.

I'm glad he had one last hurra with everyone last weekend. I wish I could have been there.

His Runnin' Down to Cuba and Ranzo will live in me till my time comes. I already miss him.

Fair Winds... Paul

Jim

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: Severn
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 07:42 PM

It was a lot of people's loss. A wonderful human being, friend, singer and musician, father, and husband to Janie Meneely. He was very supportive when I finally started seriously singing and helped keep me going and believing in myself. Unfairly gone way too soon, he will be greatly missed by many people for many reasons.

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 08:25 PM

A huge loss for the DC-area community. And to think I was just at their house Thursday night.

Deepest condolences to Janie, family and friends.

-- Gary

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: GUEST,Irish Rose
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 09:21 PM

Paul was one of the sweetest, kindest, gentlest souls that lived. He never let anything get him down. Even when he wasn't feeling at his best, he always had a smile, and I never heard him speak an unkind word about anyone. One of my first memories of Paul was at an informal gathering, when he slung his arm around me and serenaded me with The Wild Goose. From then on he encouraged me to learn more about folk music, and to pursue my passion for it.

All my love to Janie, their friends and family right now.

It was a privilege to have known him, and counted him among my friends.

Cristin

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: GUEST,GUEST, Geoff Kaufman
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 10:03 PM

This is just so hard to accept. Paul was about the most genuinely positive person I've ever met. What fine times we had on my various trips to Annapolis and Baltimore and DC, and when eh and Janie have come up to the Sea Music Festival in Mystic. I like what Jim said about how music lit up his life. I will sorely miss that voice and that spirit.
Geoff

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 10:15 PM

What? No! I had no idea when I saw Paul and Janie at New Bedford's Working Waterfront Festival just a few weekends ago. Condolences to Janie and all who loved Paul.

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 16 Oct 13 - 01:15 AM

A good man who will be sorely missed. My condolences to Janie and his loved ones.

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: Ron Davies
Date: 16 Oct 13 - 07:47 AM

A wonderful and talented guy.    This is so hard to grasp and accept.    I saw him at the House of Musical Traditions several months ago and he didn't even mention he had any health problems--we talked about--, what else?--music. Among other things he told me who had written "Cicada Serenade"--it was not the Pheremones, from whom I had learned it.

A very talented and knowledgeable guy---above all, with a modest, warm and winning personality.

He will be terribly, terribly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: SussexCarole
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 03:31 PM

We both loved Paul. His charismatic personality, wicked sense of humour and brilliant music will live in our hearts

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 10:28 PM

Very sad news. Paul was far too young to pass on. Damn!

Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 18 Oct 13 - 09:30 PM

Just curious, is anyone planning on raising a glass or a song (or both) to Paul at RenFest this weekend?

-- Gary

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: GUEST,Tom Milke
Date: 20 Oct 13 - 11:54 AM

I had a feeling Paul's time would come sooner rather than later, but still so sad to know his wonderful big heart has stopped beating. I met Paul thru Divine Intervention - literally. He used to have a side business selling church pews and choir robes. He was measuring me for a new robe for my church choir when he spoke those fateful words "Sea Shanty". We became friends on the spot and I was truly blessed to have known him and, thru him, Janie and so many wonderful others. What a good and wonderful man. What a loss to us all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: GUEST,Uilleand
Date: 22 Oct 13 - 09:39 PM

Such sad news. The world has lost the sweetest and kindest man in him. My thoughts and best wishes are with his wife, family, and all those who loved him. Since my husband's sudden and unexpected death of cancer last year I can't help feeling how cruel and unfair life can be. Paul left a legacy of love and talent that will continue rippling through humanity through those who knew him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: MMario
Date: 23 Oct 13 - 05:23 AM

@Gary - "Fiddler's Green" was done in memorium; there's at least one clip on YouTube...

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: GUEST,katb
Date: 24 Oct 13 - 09:25 PM

When the seagulls go flying up eastways and northways
and the albatross wings where the air's sweet and clean
That's not just old seabirds- they're sailors' souls gathering
Cause Paul is aplaying in Fiddler's Green

They'll be cheering and singing along the great waters
Those salty sweet shanties and tunes of the sea
Stop and listen, you'll hear him a strumming and whistling
Cause Paul is aplaying in Fiddler's Green

Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Diblasi-DC sea-song musician
From: GUEST,BobbyG
Date: 23 Oct 15 - 06:40 PM

Still not used to the idea Paul will be playing golf - pastime in a former life - on other fairways. He loved walking the links: not sure how many poeple knew that side. He will be missed in so many dimensions and present in more.