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Paul Brian Gifford
With broken hearts we report that Paul passed away unexpectedly at University of Alberta Hospital on
May 20 2023. Paul was only 33 years old.
He is much beloved by his father Brian and step mother Laura. We are shocked and devastated by his
death.
Paul was predeceased by his mother Frances Irene Norris.
Paul was intelligent and had a big heart. He was proud of his published book "From Generation to
Generation: Jewish Edmontonians as Heritage Builders". After graduating with an M.L.I.S. degree for
University of Alberta, Paul worked as an archivist at University of Calgary and recently at University of
Alberta. He loved to cook spicy foods and knew so many things.
Paul had many friends and relatives, too many to list, whom he valued, especially his cousins in Calgary,
who were very kind to him.
As his father, I held Paul for the first hour of his life and the bond that formed then has remained strong
to the end and beyond.
His loss is beyond our comprehension and leaves a big whole in our hearts which will never be filled.
This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through,
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.
I have a loving mother up in gloryland.
I don't expect t o stop until I shake her hand;
She's waiting now for me in Heaven's open door,
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
May your memory be a blessing, my friend. I love you and I miss you. <3
I am so sorry to hear about this. Paul had a kind heart and was a good person. He had great stories and was smart. He knew something about almost anything. The world is a sadder place without him
I am so sorry to hear about this. Paul was a kind person with a big heart. He was smart and always had a story to tell. The world is a sadder place now that he has left.
Rest in Peace Paul
Deepest sympathies to family and friends. May you find peace.
I’m devastated by this news and sorry to hear of this. Paul was great conversationalist and an intelligent guy. I loved his mixology creations. Super knowledgeable! A tragic loss.
Be at peace Paul. My condolences to all family and friends.
Brian,
Very sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences to you.
Sharon Norris
Brian,
I’m very sorry for you loss. My sincere condolences.
Sharon Norris
I am so sorry to hear about this. Paul was someone who was always striving to accomplish things in his life. He was dedicated and determined to achieve his goals. The world is a sadder place without him.
Hi Brian,
Very sorry for you loss. My sincere condolences.
Sharon Norris
My sincere condolences to Paul’s family and friends.
I was his teacher some years ago. We spoke at length back in January, catching up on the many changes in his life recently. He was applying to work on a Master’s degree in Native Studies and I was writing a letter of reference for him. He was very much looking forward to this next stage of life as he felt new doors were opening. I am so very sorry that he was not able to explore all that undoubtedly lay before him.
I am so sorry for your loss. Remember you have friends who are there to support you. Use that. It will help.
I loved to have conversations with Paul and always learned something from him. He had an amazing mind and big heart. It was a joy to see his smile and share some laughter. Condolences and eventual peace to all who loved him. Peace to you Paul.
Brian and Laura,
We’re so sorry to hear of this great loss. Our hearts go out to you at this time. Deepest condolences to you and your family.
Sending you love.
Shaun and Erin Green
Rest in peace.
My deepest condolences for Paul’s family and friends. I went to grad school with Paul and I was sadden to hear this news.
Oh Rosie you will be missed in this world. I just got to meet you and started to get to know you though a mutual friend. You are a kind soul and a great person to be around. May you rest in peace my sister and some day we will meet again on the other side.
I hope you get to be your true self in heaven and can be the beautiful woman I know you were going to be.
This is so sad she was so young and had a full life ahead of her.
She was transgender please don’t misgender or deadname Rosie here and give her this one final moment of respect please.
You will be missed in this world Rosie. Rest in peace Rosie!
My condolences goes out to the family.
Jamie Baillie (she / her)
Rose, remember that podcast we did about Stone Brewing? Them 8-10% beers got us sideways pretty quick!
Half an hour of intelligible beer talk, followed by 2 hours of rambling about wrestling, classic american literature and our pets.
You were the best mixologist to walk the planet. A great friend. An intelligent conversation at 3am when everything else was memes and reddit.
You are missed. I’ll never forget you Rose.
xoxo
Words can’t express how shattered this news left me, especially after only finding out 48 hours ago.
I won’t mourn for my friend Rose, I will instead celebrate the good memories.
You were the best mixologist I knew. Heart of gold. Intelligent, caring and giving even in the leanest of times.
You are remembered. You are missed.
xoxo
Chris
I am shocked and saddened to hear this terrible news. While he was not in my classes I got to know Paul as an enthusiastic and knowledgeable history student. We had many interests in common in colonial and imperial histories. I invited him to speak on his work in public history during a special session with guest speakers on Careers and Programs in Public History. It was a tremendous opportunity for the students to hear about his own career trajectory and experiences as an archivist with the Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta. He provided excellent advice about applying for jobs, and the importance of volunteer work in the heritage/ public history community. His presentation helped the students to become aware of the diversity of archives and historical societies in our community. This is a terrible loss. My deepest sympathies to all of Paul’s family.
I’m so sorry to learn of Paul’s passing.
Deepest condolences to his family & loved ones.
My deepest condolences to the family of Paul. The unexpected loss of Paul is tragic. It’s so hard on everyone when one of your family is struggling. Please take time to be kind to yourselves during this difficult time.
Devastated to learn of the passing of a dear friend last month. Rosie you were a light in the darkness surrounding us. May you forever be a peace and be the beautiful flower you were always meant to be. I just wish we had longer to know each other. We will meet again my friend.
Hi Rosie, I’m devastated that you’re gone. I’m never going to forget you! I know we didn’t know each other for long but you quickly became my soul sister! Rest In Paradise Rosie! You are loved and missed.
Her name was Rose.
Rose (Paul) was a person cut from a different cloth. She was smart, introspective, kind and caring, and I know she struggled with the realities of life and love. I was always so impressed by her strength, even in her lowest moments. I met her as Paul in grad school, knew her and watched and she transformed and grew and changed, but always cared about the beautiful soul she was. I last spoke with her on the 17th of May, and while I just found out about her passing today, her memory will continue to be strong in my mind. Rest in peace love.
Thinking of you especially today and many days, Rose. I remember how your fancy rug and your fancy painting and your fancy little life when we were both in Edmonton.
I’ll be sad forever that we never got to go to Banana Leaf in Vancouver together. I wish you had visited.
I can only hope somewhere you’re reunited with those you had lost who you loved so much, your mom and Jupiter.
Thinking of those you left behind as well. Wishing them all peace.