Dad,

It's been three years today since you transitioned. So much has happened in the family since you have been gone. Your transition was expected, it was time, as watching you become inactive was opposite of your grand life. You left behind a plan and I'm sure I'm executing it differently than you would've, but I still ask for your guidance.  I'm always asking my God, the Lord Jesus Christ, our glorious father to give me wisdom and revelation so that I might know him better. Ephesians 1:17 
 I can do this life with your help and God's wisdom. AMEN

Dearest family and friends, I celebrate with you today because my brother Paul prayed the prayer of repentance to our Lord with his Sister Pauline, before he passed. I am confident that our Lord heard him and have forgiven him of all his sins. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
There is a party in heaven for you, my brother. The Holy Bible tells me that "there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repent than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need repentance." (Lk 15:7)
This reminds me of the parable Jesus told in Matt 20:1-16 regarding the workers in the vineyard. It does not matter when you accept Christ in your life. As long as you have breath in your lungs and accept His invitation, you will be saved. He hears you and He is the only one who knows your heart!
To Piccola, Pam, Pauline, his siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends:  God will never abandon us during our time of grief -- He will always provide us with love and hope. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away ." (Rev 21:4)
Rest in peace, my Brother Paul! 
See you in Heaven!!
Love you much, your Sister Ruby

I remember as a little girl, my parents Robert and Deloris Osby taking me to the Berrymans house to play with the 2 daughters. I send Heartfelt Condolences to the Family. #GaylejustSpoke 💜

In 2000, Paul and Piccola Visited Vasanti's parents in Pune, India. In this photo they prepare to leave for Goa in the South and its pleasant beaches.  Raju, Vasanti's cousin, will drive them to Pune to catch their sleeper coach bus.  (The trains are all booked because of Diwali, the festival of lights.)  Everything is set except the sleeper bed is only five and one half feet in length, and Paul and Piccola are six feet tall!  

We are sad to see Paul and Piccola go.  Paul remarks that the Indian women are so beautiful.  I agree, even the poorest peasant woman stands stately proud in a richly colored sari.  Paul sheepishly admits that "he has not yet seen one ugly Indian woman".  Raju has a rapid response in Marathi which Vasanti paraphrased, "Introduce him to the lazy alcoholic woman living behind our house if you want, she’s ugly enough."  We see Paul, Piccola and Raju off.  

In 2000, Paul and Piccola visited Vasanti's parents in Pune for a two-day stay as part of their tour of India. Vasanti takes us to Saras Baug (Saras Park), which has large lawns and trees, a pond with fish and a large brightly lit ornate temple featuring Ganesh (Shiva’s son, the Elephant God, a mover of obstacles) on a hill in the center of the park.  

The evening is warm and there is a festive atmosphere.  Families and couples are relaxing on the lawns.  We walk to the temple to get in line and pay our respects to the revered Ganesh.  We remove our shoes.  The temple is packed with worshipers.  

Paul and I ask Vasanti to accompany us in the line because we are unsure of what to do once we get to the head of the line.  We get into the shorter of the two lines.  Vasanti is politely reprimanded for standing in the men's line so Paul and I have to wing it on our own.  As Paul and I near the front of the quickly moving line, we watch the procedure as each man pays their respects.  The men rapidly fold their hands, perhaps giving a quick prayer, apply kumkum (red sacred powder) to the forehead, and give an offering.  We reach the head of the line, and in our brief hesitation, the two men in behind step around us to garner the precious idle Ganesh time slices.  We wait for them to finish, give our offering and turn to leave.  The priest asks if we are "Amreekins".  We say yes, and he gives us sweet prasad to eat, a special treat reserved for the honored foreign guests.  

When Paul and I walk around the temple, I notice that by the public's reaction, tall Paul is even more alien and rare than me.  We notice a group of young women in their fine saris looking at Paul and giggling.  Paul waves "hi" to them and this causes them to giggle even more.  Vasanti suggests that Paul get a photo with them.  Paul quickly runs around behind the bench where they are sitting and I snap a photo of the women now thoroughly embarrassed.  

Visit with Paul and Piccola in 2009 at Patti's house in San Diego. 


Ever present jovial father, friend to all and stranger to none.

I met Paul early in my career with the SDFD, and he was clearly a kind and gentle man. He laughed easily, and made me laugh as well. Quiet, but thoughtful, and helping in any way he could to teach others and look out for them. He will be missed.

OBITUARY

Paul Berryman

20 March, 1938 – 24 October, 2021

Cypress View Mausoleum, Mortuary and Crematory

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