Dillon Anthony Paul

Dillon Anthony Paul November 2, 2003 - February 17, 2021 Our third child, a son born on November 2, 2003, in Queens, New York, with reddish brown hair and a beautiful smile. A smile that got brighter with every moment of the 17 years, 3 months, 14 days, 1 hour and 16 minutes you were allowed to bless this world with your presence, until you departed on February 17, 2021. The world will miss your phenomenal basketball skills, and your musical talent as the artist D.T.F which you explained meant “Devoted Through Faith”. I could not control the tears when I remember those talks you and I had about your future, as you would quietly and calmly respond, “yes dad I will focus on bringing up the grades” and you did. Your desire to pursue a career in finance and someday owning a luxury car dealership is now secondary, as you have graduated my son from this earthly experience to the highest level of glory to be with God your creator. Reminiscing on those trips to school from St Joachim and Ann, then to IS/PS 208 middle school, then Teachers HS, and finally Lake Nona HS, with a few weeks at Econ River to recover some credits to graduate on time, you matured and grew. We saw a child growing into a young man. The beard started to show, while the hair grew longer and you decided to color it to coordinate with your shade of brown skin. We may never understand why you leave the house that day to play basketball, after being at home for two weeks completing quizzes and recording music. We may never understand why you had to depart this earth that day. However, what we do understand is that your God given ability, that desire to always help others, and always see goodness and light in even the darkest of souls in this world, never waver, as you navigate your path back to God your creator to bask in his presence and glory for eternity. My son, we will continue the work you have started and build upon the foundation you left us. Your passing will never be in vein. Your younger siblings missed their older brother who took them under his wings and share his knowledge of life, academics, basketball, music and so much more. The trips to the pool and basketball court, and being up all night playing video games will never be the same. Your older siblings have no more tears to cry. Everyone at home misses your quiet confidence and silky smooth movement as you navigate your 6 foot 3 inches frame throughout the house. Your mom and I, along with the rest of the extended family can’t begin to understand why you had to leave us so suddenly and so soon. However, we know uncle Zanu and your favorite guidance counselor Mrs. Withfield’s daughter, along with our ancestors that returned home before you, have welcomed you into Gods paradise and show you how to use your new angel wings. The physical body you left behind which you work so hard to develop with great nutrition, discipline and exercise will be treated with the traditional celebration of life service and burial according to our Christian faith. We know without your spirit that body alone is just a shell and not you, my son. Your mom misses her baby with whom she would enjoy those long calm conversations late at night. She mourns your passing every day since we received that devastating phone call. However, we do thank God every day for granting us the presence of his holy spirit that will grant us peace and the strength to guide us through this very difficult path, as we continue our work on earth and that journey back to our creator. As your earthly parents, we thank you for granting us the opportunity to mentor, mold and influence you. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to learn from you. Thank you for being a great brother. Thank you for the opportunity to witness the presence of an angel on earth named Dillon Anthony Paul. We will never have another son like you. You were intelligent, ambitious and peaceful and filled with love. You were encouraging, happy, courageous, talented, quiet and very confident, simply the best. Your absence is a great void in this world as we pull the pieces together and move forward. You will always be a major part of our lives forever. https://tributestream.live/celebration-of-life-for-dillon-anthony-paul/