On Thursday January 20th 2011, my dad passed away on Token Lake in Storey Twp. His final wish was granted. I will always love you dad...RIP!!!
Please feel free to add your comments , stories and anecdotes.
Paul influenced generations of trappers. He was always willing to teach others and share his knowledge with those interested in listening to him.At the last convention he was still sharing his frost scraping video with the enthusiasm of a kid.He died where he loved to be which is more than most get to do. We will surely miss him !
Paul Millette was one of the greatest trappers coming out of northern ontario. I had the opportunity a few years ago to get my trappers licence in Hearst Ontario and on the final exam day, Paul Millette tought me a few tricks that he learned along is years of trapping. I was honored to be shown by such a great legend !! Myself, growing on the same street back home as Paul, i would see him drive by often by my dads place. He would remind me of my grandfather. A few weeks ago i got a phone call from my dad in Hearst and he seem excited on the phone. First thing my dad said " i spent the whole day with Paul Millette in his garage and learned Pauls trick how to skin and dressed those animals caught on the trapline. He had a great time and my dad told me that it was one of the greatest experience a trapper could get knowledge from. You will be miss Paul, RIP Salut Paul
Merci Paul, de m'avoir injecter dans les veines, comme à bien d'autres, la passion du trappage; d'avoir partager toutes tes connaissances et ta science; d'avoir fait du métier trappeur un reconnu et apprécié de tous; mais surtout d'avoir été mon ami, mon inspiration et ça je t'en suis reconnaissant à jamais.
Comme tu dirais à ta manière: « Asteur que le bonhomme est parti, les martres et les castors vont pouvoir être tranquilles!»
Salut, the «White man that trap everywhere» comme te surnommaient les indiens de Carlstock et encore merci pour tout ce que tu nous a donné.
Pierre Canac-Marquis et tous les trappeurs du Québec.
I met Paul a couple of years ago at tha FHA convention where he done a knife sharpening and beaver skinning demonstration. You could see the desire in his eyes to help others of this great hobby. He was my inspiration as a young trapper and I only dreamed of making catches like him. May you rest in peace Paul.
Votre renommée demeurera toujours une référence pour les trappeurs actuels et à venir et j'aborde dans le même sens que Pierre Canac Marquis pour vous accorder la première étoile des tout les matchs de trappe au Canada, un vrai Rocket du piègeage Allez en paix Monsieur Millette. aurevoir
André Maltais (Fergustrap) président de l'association des trappeurs du Saguenay-Lac St-Jean
Paul was my uncle, and my friend. Growing up with him in the family enriched my life more than can be imagined. His "joie de vivre", his infectious smile, his lovely and loving blue eyes will fill a big part of my heart forever. He is an icon for the rest of us. He is an example of how life should be lived. He left this earthly plane the way he wanted to go, on his trapping ground, looking at the sky. Way to go Paul! Love you forever, Your niece Marie-Anne Chabot & family
I first met Paul when I was a young boy attending the Ontario Trappers Convention in North Bay. The "GRETZKY" of trappers he was a great inspiration. Paul served on the OTA board of directors for many terms throughout the 1970`s and 80`s. Always willing and eager to pass on knowledge through one on one talks or the countless workshops he gave. Even last spring Paul attended the North Bay convention and gave seminars and shared his secrets. Paul was a good man and a true ambassador to our industry. He went in a way best suited to him, on his trap line with his boots on. Respectfully Mark Downey
"Le malheur de l'avoir perdu ne doit surtout pas nous faire oublier le bonheur de l'avoir connu."
Lorsque je pense à mon grand-grand-oncle Paul il n'y a pas une seule mémoire depuis ma jeunesse où son sourire est absent. C'est un homme avec un beau gros sourire et la personalité pour y coïncider. Je vais toujours me souvenir de son rire infectueux, et sa joie de vivre qui semble nous avoir tous touchés.
Farewell Paul and Rip, You were and always will be the best father-in law a man could ever ask for. I will never forget those special times during hunting season when I could spend a few hours with you after dinner, watching you prepare your furs. It's a trade and heritage of ours that is dissapearing and I was lucky enough to witness the very best in the industry demonstrate his craft. God bless Paul, you left this earth the way you wanted, you will never be forgotten. Love Mike Edwards
Murray Monk, Founding President OFMF Paul served as an Assistant Director for us, on the Ontario Fur Managers Federation Board of Directors. Paul was truly an ambassador for the Wild Fur industry. His influence on trappers will long be remembered as we all strive to do as well in life and take a lesson even from his passing - out the bush, a free trapper. Paul...see you along those new trails someday, Murray
Ça devait être en 1970 ou en 1971, car la convention des trappeurs de l'OTA avait encore lieu à l'Hotel Empire à North Bay. C'était un party bien arrosé alors, quand les trappeurs envahissaient la ville de North Bay. Quand la musique de violoneux s'est fait entendre, le coloré Aleck Shieff s'est levé pour nous faire voir ses talents de jiggeu. Aussitôt, un trappeur s'est levé pour lui faire face, et le spectacle qui a suivi a été mémorable. Aleck s'est morfondu autant qu'il en pouvait, et il a duré pas mal longtemps, mais s'était évident que Paul Millette était pour le battre et qu'il ne commençait même pas à fatiguer quand l'autre a abandonné. Après ça, j'ai souvent revu Paul aux conventions, et à chaque fois, il m'a impressionné par ses conaissances, ses capacités physiques exceptionnelles, et sa volonté de se dépasser lui même. Il m'a enseigné comment rendre une lame de couteau Frost comme un rasoir, et aussi le plaisir de faire apprendre ses conaissances aux autres. Il m' a surtout transmis sa passion pour le piégeage, et comme je suis né qu'à quelques milles de chez lui, je l'ai attrapé fort. Maintenant je suis certain qu'à chaque fois que je ferai un activité de piégeage, je penserai à ce grand trappeur, et aurai l'impression de partager sa passion. Merci de m'avoir donné la passion Paul, c’est une grande partie de ma vie.
It must have been 1970 or 1971, as the OTA trappers Convention was held at the Empire Hotel. A pretty wild party it was in those days when the trappers came to North Bay. When the fiddle music broke out, up jumped colourful Aleck Shieff to give us a show of his jigging abilities. Well this trapper jumped up for a challenge and the two men gave us quite a show. Aleck gave it all he could, and lasted quite a while, but he was no match for Paul Millette who looked like he was just getting started, and could go on and on. Every time I saw Paul after that, my respect grew for the man of great knowledge, incredible capabilities and the capacity to go beyond even his own strength. He showed be how to sharpen his skinning knife, and the pleasure of passing on this knowledge to others. He also passed on to me that special passion that trappers get from one another, and I know for sure that the every time I am on my trapline from now on, I will think of Paul and the pleasure he got from trapping, and will enjoy trapping even more. Thank you for the passion, Paul. Roger de Denus
If there is a bright side, Paul died as he wished … doing what he enjoyed most …trapping. During my tenure with Ontario Trappers Association as Member Services Manager/Editor Canadian Trapper Magazine I had the pleasure of meeting Paul and working with him as both colleague and friend.
Paul served Ontario trappers as their OTA director for 19 years. He eagerly passed on his vast knowledge at many ongoing workshops and trapper education events throughout Ontario and beyond.
A true friend of fur Paul will be sadly missed by many trappers and friends from throughout Canada and indeed North America.
With sincere respect,
Eldon Hawton ...
Note: I have posted the news of Paul's passing along with a link to this blog on FoF Journal ...
Please click the link above to view the complete Journal posting.
Thank you for all the great stories, the wisdom of your experiences, the laughter, the songs and dances; not to mention our long winded discussions about health foods (smile). I was blessed and will be forever honored for having had you as my uncle with the twinkling blue eyes and infectuous smile. You will be missed but never, ever forgotten.
The NLWF(Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Federation) sends sincere condolences to the family and Friends of this complete man. Although we did not personally know him, we understand what he stood for and his voice will be missed. But I we feel we must carry his legacy onwards and upwards so his commitments are not lost, nor his voice lost on those who would like to see trappers and hunters go by the wayside.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine. These are words we are all familiar with. For Paul, I can't think of a better description. The light inside of Paul was far from little. It was more than the blue sparkle of his yes, more than the radiance of a smile that lit up the room. It was the light within his heart. His love and compassion for his fellow man, his sense of right and wrong, and his good action towards those less fortunate than himself. Above all things, it was his unconditional love for his family and friends. A love that did not waver, no matter how far his beloved fell, or how high they soared. In a day and age where few of us are blessed with the experience of an extended family and friends brought together by love, I count myself among the fortunate, for my brother made sure that love was part of our lives. I could spend an eternity listing all the life lessons my brother taught us, but if you knew Paul at all, you know there is no need for me to explain. While we on earth have lost our light, a Father, Grandfather/Great Grandfather, a brother, uncles and a friend, heaven has gained an angel. A bright and shining star to light our way. And the memory of our angel will stay in our hearts forever. We love you Paul, we will never forget you, Until we meet again, Luv your sister Murielle
I was raised on the shores of Nassau Lake and first met Paul when he bought the trap line from Fred Parent in 1962.
In a good year, Fred would take 175 beaver, some marten & muskrat, a few otter and perhaps a fisher or two. He'd give us weasel skins to sell on his license at the Hudson's Bay store in Hearst.
Paul scored 1013 beaver in the first year. He did things differently. When it was customary to ring the lodge with a pole fence and rig a drowning set, Paul cut a slot around it, slipped into the icy water in chest waders to find the entrance and set a Conibear. He adopted snowmobiles, and later an airplane. He used nail boards instead of stretch hoops and ground a cutting slot on the back edge of his knife blade to quickly cut open the beaver skin. He was always looking for a faster, better way to do things.
A few years later, in my last summer working as an assistant scaler before university, the manager had a house built in Hearst and moved in late in August. At the same time, Paul moved from Hearst to the manager's house in Nassau Lake. All of the employees worked on the move on Friday, shuttling loads back & forth, but did not finish the job. On Saturday morning, Paul & I each took a truck and continued, with each load punctuated by a generous helping of home made raspberry wine, till we were done well after dark. The following Monday we were 'spoken to' - seems like the manager did not appreciate being 'relocated' with such gusto. It's the only time I've ever caught hell from the boss for working too hard!
That same summer, Paul saved my father from a very serious and potentially fatal injury. Dad was set on fire by a defective propane torch and instinctively ran. Paul caught him in a few steps and quickly snuffed out put the flames, minimizing the burn. He did not make a big deal of it. It was just something that needed to be done. Think quick, act quick, resolve the situation, move on.
A few years later, when he bought an airplane, I taught him ground school while I was laid up at home with a hip-to-toe cast, recovering from a broken knee cap. He passed the exam first time around. Paul did not have a lot of formal education but he was very intelligent and a quick study. He easily grasped the fundamentals and never failed to learn whatever he could from any source. I proudly pinned COPA (Canadian Owners & Pilots Association) wings on his lapel after he completed his first solo.
The following summer, Paul let me use his Piper PA11 to get my float rating. After a few hours of instruction, we flew up to a remote lake, set the plane down and taxied to shore. Paul took off his boots & socks, rolled up his pants and waded to shore to set down his boots. Then he turned the plane around, spun the prop and sent me on my first float solo - pretty gusty to let a 20-year old kid with 48 hours flying time do that. Paul was not afraid to take a calculated risk and always returned the favors done to him. He was very kind and generous.
I always enjoyed outings with Paul, hunting and fishing, sometimes stretching the pickerel limit, and going on fire and game warden patrol. He always did interesting stuff, had endless energy and contagious enthusiasm, sometimes to the point of exuberance. He taught me many things, from the J-stroke to keep a canoe in a straight line, where to find the pickerel along the weed beds and drop-offs, how to negotiate a difficult stretch of road with a 4x4 (slooooowly), and most of all, how to make the best of any day.
I'm glad he lived his life the way he wanted, under the open sky in the wilderness. It's fitting it ended the same way.
I met Paul 12 yrs. ago bear hunting with him and have stayed in touch all these yrs. What an amazing man he is . One time I had shot a bear and he went in very thick bush so Paul went with me to look for the bear, I asked if we should take a rifle and Paul said that he had not been bitten by a bear and didn't think today was going to be the day so I left my rifle in the truck and thought,if thats good enough for Paul its good enough for me and we didnt get bit that day as Paul said. Its hard to loose a man like Paul but he was lucky to go out as he did (I hope im as lucky). see ya on the other side Paul and thanks for being you. Joe Grolling Kent NY USA
Through my work I have had the pleasure of working with some of the best trappers in the country. When I first met Paul I instantly like him and soon realized just how special he was. His knowledge not just of trapping but of all things natural was unique and ever increasingly rare. Paul had one of the best attitudes on life of any person I have ever met. Anyone who knew Paul knows just how infectious his attitude can be. He had me convinced to eat healthier after just 3 days. Paul’s work ethic was…. well unbelievable. We once work together for 29 very long days straight. I was 35, Paul I think was 80, near the end of the project I commented “I’m getting a bit tired” Paul just looked at me and said “the days are long and the nights are short!” then broke out in laughter. Paul was an incredible teacher always willing to show someone his little tricks of the trade. While Paul was without question one of the greatest trappers of all time, he was even a better person.
Hi people. My name is Pauline Swerdfiger but I was born Pauline Millette.Paul was my uncle.My dad is Jean-Paul or as you call him Bruce. I'm sad to say that I only remember meeting him one time at the Tim Horton's in SouthPorcupine.But let me tell you that it was one of the happiest days of my life because first of all he was my dad's big brother and I had heard alot of wonderful things about him.I was also born in 1972 so I may have met him before but I don't remember. On that day (at the coffee shop)I was fortunate to have 3 of my children and my husband with me; they were able to meet my uncle Paul. The reason I say this is because I never saw him after that and my other child never got the chance to meet him. When I found out that he died I felt sad (I didn't know him alot) but I felt sad for my dad,my aunt Therese,and my aunt Murielle. Unfortunately I don't know anyone else from that side of my family. I feel bad for them too even though we never met.When I was talking to my dad after I found out that he had passed away;I said to him" well dad at least he died doing what he loved to do; in the place he loved to be in.How many of us are lucky enough to get that wish?" I know that my dad still misses him; after all he has alot of special memories from when he was a small boy growing up with uncle Paul. That's about all I have to say so RIP uncle Paul from your niece Pauline!
i first met mr millette at a trappers workshop in the mid seventies i learned so many different trapping technics that were both effective and humane from him.i can honestly say that after applying his methods and ways of doing things on our trapline we had immidiate and resonding success.and today when someone should point to a certain set on my line and ask why i find myself repeating the words of one of the greatest influences in my trapping life and with a great deal of pride i say that set was shown to me so many years ago by a living legend the great paul millette
Paul influenced generations of trappers. He was always willing to teach others and share his knowledge with those interested in listening to him.At the last convention he was still sharing his frost scraping video with the enthusiasm of a kid.He died where he loved to be which is more than most get to do. We will surely miss him !
ReplyDeleteSee you on the big line paul
ReplyDeletePaul Millette was one of the greatest trappers coming out of northern ontario. I had the opportunity a few years ago to get my trappers licence in Hearst Ontario and on the final exam day, Paul Millette tought me a few tricks that he learned along is years of trapping. I was honored to be shown by such a great legend !! Myself, growing on the same street back home as Paul, i would see him drive by often by my dads place. He would remind me of my grandfather. A few weeks ago i got a phone call from my dad in Hearst and he seem excited on the phone. First thing my dad said " i spent the whole day with Paul Millette in his garage and learned Pauls trick how to skin and dressed those animals caught on the trapline. He had a great time and my dad told me that it was one of the greatest experience a trapper could get knowledge from. You will be miss Paul, RIP
ReplyDeleteSalut Paul
Au Maurice Richard des trappeurs canadiens,
ReplyDeleteMerci Paul,
de m'avoir injecter dans les veines, comme à bien d'autres, la passion du trappage;
d'avoir partager toutes tes connaissances et ta science;
d'avoir fait du métier trappeur un reconnu et apprécié de tous;
mais surtout d'avoir été mon ami, mon inspiration et ça je t'en suis reconnaissant à jamais.
Comme tu dirais à ta manière: « Asteur que le bonhomme est parti, les martres et les castors vont pouvoir être tranquilles!»
Salut, the «White man that trap everywhere» comme te surnommaient les indiens de Carlstock et encore merci pour tout ce que tu nous a donné.
Pierre Canac-Marquis et tous les trappeurs du Québec.
I met Paul a couple of years ago at tha FHA convention where he done a knife sharpening and beaver skinning demonstration. You could see the desire in his eyes to help others of this great hobby. He was my inspiration as a young trapper and I only dreamed of making catches like him. May you rest in peace Paul.
ReplyDeletemerci de ma voir montrer bien des petit chose qui mon permit de grandier dans ce monde de la trappe
ReplyDeleteby by paul tous ce rapeleront de toi comme tu est cher a nos coeur et a ceux de ta famille
bon voyage sur un nouveau terrain de trappe
francois charbonneau
Votre renommée demeurera toujours une référence pour les trappeurs actuels et à venir et j'aborde dans le même sens que Pierre Canac Marquis pour vous accorder la première étoile des tout les matchs de trappe au Canada, un vrai Rocket du piègeage
ReplyDeleteAllez en paix Monsieur Millette.
aurevoir
André Maltais
(Fergustrap)
président de l'association des trappeurs du Saguenay-Lac St-Jean
Marie-Anne Chabot
ReplyDeletePaul was my uncle, and my friend. Growing up with him in the family enriched my life more than can be imagined. His "joie de vivre", his infectious smile, his lovely and loving blue eyes will fill a big part of my heart forever. He is an icon for the rest of us. He is an example of how life should be lived. He left this earthly plane the way he wanted to go, on his trapping ground, looking at the sky.
Way to go Paul!
Love you forever,
Your niece
Marie-Anne Chabot & family
I first met Paul when I was a young boy attending the Ontario Trappers Convention in North Bay. The "GRETZKY" of trappers he was a great inspiration. Paul served on the OTA board of directors for many terms throughout the 1970`s and 80`s. Always willing and eager to pass on knowledge through one on one talks or the countless workshops he gave. Even last spring Paul attended the North Bay convention and gave seminars and shared his secrets.
ReplyDeletePaul was a good man and a true ambassador to our industry. He went in a way best suited to him, on his trap line with his boots on.
Respectfully
Mark Downey
"Le malheur de l'avoir perdu ne doit surtout pas nous faire oublier le bonheur de l'avoir connu."
ReplyDeleteLorsque je pense à mon grand-grand-oncle Paul il n'y a pas une seule mémoire depuis ma jeunesse où son sourire est absent. C'est un homme avec un beau gros sourire et la personalité pour y coïncider. Je vais toujours me souvenir de son rire infectueux, et sa joie de vivre qui semble nous avoir tous touchés.
Tu me manques.
Kelsey Charbonneau-Laforest
xox
Farewell Paul and Rip,
ReplyDeleteYou were and always will be the best father-in law a man could ever ask for. I will never forget those special times during hunting season when I could spend a few hours with you after dinner, watching you prepare your furs. It's a trade and heritage of ours that is dissapearing and I was lucky enough to witness the very best in the industry demonstrate his craft. God bless Paul, you left this earth the way you wanted, you will never be forgotten.
Love Mike Edwards
Murray Monk, Founding President OFMF
ReplyDeletePaul served as an Assistant Director for us, on the Ontario Fur Managers Federation Board of Directors. Paul was truly an ambassador for the Wild Fur industry. His influence on trappers will long be remembered as we all strive to do as well in life and take a lesson even from his passing - out the bush, a free trapper. Paul...see you along those new trails someday,
Murray
Ça devait être en 1970 ou en 1971, car la convention des trappeurs de l'OTA avait encore lieu à l'Hotel Empire à North Bay. C'était un party bien arrosé alors, quand les trappeurs envahissaient la ville de North Bay.
ReplyDeleteQuand la musique de violoneux s'est fait entendre, le coloré Aleck Shieff s'est levé pour nous faire voir ses talents de jiggeu. Aussitôt, un trappeur s'est levé pour lui faire face, et le spectacle qui a suivi a été mémorable. Aleck s'est morfondu autant qu'il en pouvait, et il a duré pas mal longtemps, mais s'était évident que Paul Millette était pour le battre et qu'il ne commençait même pas à fatiguer quand l'autre a abandonné.
Après ça, j'ai souvent revu Paul aux conventions, et à chaque fois, il m'a impressionné par ses conaissances, ses capacités physiques exceptionnelles, et sa volonté de se dépasser lui même. Il m'a enseigné comment rendre une lame de couteau Frost comme un rasoir, et aussi le plaisir de faire apprendre ses conaissances aux autres.
Il m' a surtout transmis sa passion pour le piégeage, et comme je suis né qu'à quelques milles de chez lui, je l'ai attrapé fort. Maintenant je suis certain qu'à chaque fois que je ferai un activité de piégeage, je penserai à ce grand trappeur, et aurai l'impression de partager sa passion. Merci de m'avoir donné la passion Paul, c’est une grande partie de ma vie.
Roger de Denus
It must have been 1970 or 1971, as the OTA trappers Convention was held at the Empire Hotel. A pretty wild party it was in those days when the trappers came to North Bay. When the fiddle music broke out, up jumped colourful Aleck Shieff to give us a show of his jigging abilities. Well this trapper jumped up for a challenge and the two men gave us quite a show. Aleck gave it all he could, and lasted quite a while, but he was no match for Paul Millette who looked like he was just getting started, and could go on and on.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I saw Paul after that, my respect grew for the man of great knowledge, incredible capabilities and the capacity to go beyond even his own strength. He showed be how to sharpen his skinning knife, and the pleasure of passing on this knowledge to others.
He also passed on to me that special passion that trappers get from one another, and I know for sure that the every time I am on my trapline from now on, I will think of Paul and the pleasure he got from trapping, and will enjoy trapping even more. Thank you for the passion, Paul.
Roger de Denus
If there is a bright side, Paul died as he wished … doing what he enjoyed most …trapping.
ReplyDeleteDuring my tenure with Ontario Trappers Association as Member Services Manager/Editor Canadian Trapper Magazine I had the pleasure of meeting Paul and working with him as both colleague and friend.
Paul served Ontario trappers as their OTA director for 19 years. He eagerly passed on his vast knowledge at many ongoing workshops and trapper education events throughout Ontario and beyond.
A true friend of fur Paul will be sadly missed by many trappers and friends from throughout Canada and indeed North America.
With sincere respect,
Eldon Hawton ...
Note: I have posted the news of Paul's passing along with a link to this blog on FoF
Journal ...
Please click the link above to view the complete Journal posting.
Dearest Uncle Paul:
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the great stories, the wisdom of your experiences, the laughter, the songs and dances; not to mention our long winded discussions about health foods (smile). I was blessed and will be forever honored for having had you as my uncle with the twinkling blue eyes and infectuous smile. You will be missed but never, ever forgotten.
Love, Your niece Suzanne
The NLWF(Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Federation) sends sincere condolences to the family and Friends of this complete man. Although we did not personally know him, we understand what he stood for and his voice will be missed. But I we feel we must carry his legacy onwards and upwards so his commitments are not lost, nor his voice lost on those who would like to see trappers and hunters go by the wayside.
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
Ward Samson
NLWF
My Dear Brother:
ReplyDeleteThis little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine. These are words we are all familiar with. For Paul, I can't think of a better description. The light inside of Paul was far from little. It was more than the blue sparkle of his yes, more than the radiance of a smile that lit up the room. It was the light within his heart. His love and compassion for his fellow man, his sense of right and wrong, and his good action towards those less fortunate than himself. Above all things, it was his unconditional love for his family and friends. A love that did not waver, no matter how far his beloved fell, or how high they soared. In a day and age where few of us are blessed with the experience of an extended family and friends brought together by love, I count myself among the fortunate, for my brother made sure that love was part of our lives. I could spend an eternity listing all the life lessons my brother taught us, but if you knew Paul at all, you know there is no need for me to explain. While we on earth have lost our light, a Father, Grandfather/Great Grandfather, a brother, uncles and a friend, heaven has gained an angel. A bright and shining star to light our way. And the memory of our angel will stay in our hearts forever.
We love you Paul, we will never forget you,
Until we meet again,
Luv your sister Murielle
I was raised on the shores of Nassau Lake and first met Paul when he bought the trap line from Fred Parent in 1962.
ReplyDeleteIn a good year, Fred would take 175 beaver, some marten & muskrat, a few otter and perhaps a fisher or two. He'd give us weasel skins to sell on his license at the Hudson's Bay store in Hearst.
Paul scored 1013 beaver in the first year. He did things differently. When it was customary to ring the lodge with a pole fence and rig a drowning set, Paul cut a slot around it, slipped into the icy water in chest waders to find the entrance and set a Conibear. He adopted snowmobiles, and later an airplane. He used nail boards instead of stretch hoops and ground a cutting slot on the back edge of his knife blade to quickly cut open the beaver skin. He was always looking for a faster, better way to do things.
A few years later, in my last summer working as an assistant scaler before university, the manager had a house built in Hearst and moved in late in August. At the same time, Paul moved from Hearst to the manager's house in Nassau Lake. All of the employees worked on the move on Friday, shuttling loads back & forth, but did not finish the job. On Saturday morning, Paul & I each took a truck and continued, with each load punctuated by a generous helping of home made raspberry wine, till we were done well after dark. The following Monday we were 'spoken to' - seems like the manager did not appreciate being 'relocated' with such gusto. It's the only time I've ever caught hell from the boss for working too hard!
That same summer, Paul saved my father from a very serious and potentially fatal injury. Dad was set on fire by a defective propane torch and instinctively ran. Paul caught him in a few steps and quickly snuffed out put the flames, minimizing the burn. He did not make a big deal of it. It was just something that needed to be done. Think quick, act quick, resolve the situation, move on.
A few years later, when he bought an airplane, I taught him ground school while I was laid up at home with a hip-to-toe cast, recovering from a broken knee cap. He passed the exam first time around. Paul did not have a lot of formal education but he was very intelligent and a quick study. He easily grasped the fundamentals and never failed to learn whatever he could from any source. I proudly pinned COPA (Canadian Owners & Pilots Association) wings on his lapel after he completed his first solo.
The following summer, Paul let me use his Piper PA11 to get my float rating. After a few hours of instruction, we flew up to a remote lake, set the plane down and taxied to shore. Paul took off his boots & socks, rolled up his pants and waded to shore to set down his boots. Then he turned the plane around, spun the prop and sent me on my first float solo - pretty gusty to let a 20-year old kid with 48 hours flying time do that. Paul was not afraid to take a calculated risk and always returned the favors done to him. He was very kind and generous.
I always enjoyed outings with Paul, hunting and fishing, sometimes stretching the pickerel limit, and going on fire and game warden patrol. He always did interesting stuff, had endless energy and contagious enthusiasm, sometimes to the point of exuberance. He taught me many things, from the J-stroke to keep a canoe in a straight line, where to find the pickerel along the weed beds and drop-offs, how to negotiate a difficult stretch of road with a 4x4 (slooooowly), and most of all, how to make the best of any day.
I'm glad he lived his life the way he wanted, under the open sky in the wilderness. It's fitting it ended the same way.
Robert Fortier
I met Paul 12 yrs. ago bear hunting with him and have stayed in touch all these yrs. What an amazing man he is . One time I had shot a bear and he went in very thick bush so Paul went with me to look for the bear, I asked if we should take a rifle and Paul said that he had not been bitten by a bear and didn't think today was going to be the day so I left my rifle in the truck and thought,if thats good enough for Paul its good enough for me and we didnt get bit that day as Paul said.
ReplyDeleteIts hard to loose a man like Paul but he was lucky to go out as he did (I hope im as lucky).
see ya on the other side Paul and thanks for being you.
Joe Grolling
Kent NY USA
Through my work I have had the pleasure of working with some of the best trappers in the country. When I first met Paul I instantly like him and soon realized just how special he was. His knowledge not just of trapping but of all things natural was unique and ever increasingly rare. Paul had one of the best attitudes on life of any person I have ever met. Anyone who knew Paul knows just how infectious his attitude can be. He had me convinced to eat healthier after just 3 days. Paul’s work ethic was…. well unbelievable. We once work together for 29 very long days straight. I was 35, Paul I think was 80, near the end of the project I commented “I’m getting a bit tired” Paul just looked at me and said “the days are long and the nights are short!” then broke out in laughter. Paul was an incredible teacher always willing to show someone his little tricks of the trade. While Paul was without question one of the greatest trappers of all time, he was even a better person.
ReplyDeleteI will miss you, your friend always
Luke Nolan
Hi people. My name is Pauline Swerdfiger but I was born Pauline Millette.Paul was my uncle.My dad is Jean-Paul or as you call him Bruce. I'm sad to say that I only remember meeting him one time at the Tim Horton's in SouthPorcupine.But let me tell you that it was one of the happiest days of my life because first of all he was my dad's big brother and I had heard alot of wonderful things about him.I was also born in 1972 so I may have met him before but I don't remember. On that day (at the coffee shop)I was fortunate to have 3 of my children and my husband with me; they were able to meet my uncle Paul. The reason I say this is because I never saw him after that and my other child never got the chance to meet him. When I found out that he died I felt sad (I didn't know him alot) but I felt sad for my dad,my aunt Therese,and my aunt Murielle. Unfortunately I don't know anyone else from that side of my family. I feel bad for them too even though we never met.When I was talking to my dad after I found out that he had passed away;I said to him" well dad at least he died doing what he loved to do; in the place he loved to be in.How many of us are lucky enough to get that wish?" I know that my dad still misses him; after all he has alot of special memories from when he was a small boy growing up with uncle Paul. That's about all I have to say so RIP uncle Paul from your niece Pauline!
ReplyDeletei first met mr millette at a trappers workshop in the mid seventies i learned so many different trapping technics that were both effective and humane from him.i can honestly say that after applying his methods and ways of doing things on our trapline we had immidiate and resonding success.and today when someone should point to a certain set on my line and ask why i find myself repeating the words of one of the greatest influences in my trapping life and with a great deal of pride i say that set was shown to me so many years ago by a living legend the great paul millette
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