Paul Joseph Beaudry

October 12, 2017

Service Details

On October 12th, Paul Joseph Beaudry, beloved brother and friend, joined his ancestors in the hereafter. Like his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, Paul suffered from diabetes and its destructive complications. And, like his forbears, he completed his corporeal life as a devout and faithful Catholic.

Paul was born to Brunnell Wilfred (“Jerry”) Beaudry and Henriette Corinne Beaudry (Tetreault) on August 10, 1961 in Des Moines and was baptized in All Saints parish, where he was subsequently a student, an altar boy, a crossing guard, a rectory worker, an usher, a bookkeeper and multi-faceted volunteer of all kinds. He was an officer in the Knights of Columbus and brightened countless lives during his 56 years in the parish.
He attended All Saints Elementary School in Highland Park and earned the Aquinas Key at Dowling High School before graduating with honors from the University of Iowa and permanently returning to Des Moines. He played the accordion and loved Navy stories, classic rock, and spectator sports, faithfully following his favorite teams from Dowling and the University of Iowa as well as his beloved Minnesota Twins and Vikings.
Paul was a pillar of the high school debate community. Known affectionately as “Blurb,” he is fondly remembered and will be very much missed by the countless students and teachers whom he helped over the years. After debating for Dowling, he went on to work there as a debate coach and judge and was even hired to help rival Valley High School in West Des Moines. In addition to coaching and judging, Paul travelled with teams, ran debate tournaments and received awards for his contributions both in Iowa and around the nation.

Paul had far more friends than he knew, and although he never married, he was devoted to family. He was a faithful son who cared for his mother throughout her final days and a kind and thoughtful brother, uncle and brother-in-law. Paul had neither vanity nor malice and never once made an enemy of anyone. He could be frustrating but never hostile, and was compassionate to all who knew him. Blurb’s example, if not his body, is indestructible.

He is survived by his brother, Carl Beaudry, his sister-in-law, Melissa Houghton and his nephew, Maxton Chance Beaudry of Fort Washington, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made in Paul’s name to All Saints parish.

Services will be held on Monday October 23rd, 2017, at 10 a.m. at All Saints church, 650 NE 52nd Ave Des Moines, IA 50313.

Online condolences may be made to www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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