Paul Alfred Candela

Born in Rio Salado, (El Malah), Algeria, to the wine-making family of Louisette and Alfred Candela, Paul went to school in Oran and Aix-en-Provence.   Shortly before Algeria declared independence from France in 1962 the family left their much-loved community and moved to Hyeres, in southern France.  Paul completed military service in Marseille and joined his family in Hyeres, where he sold real estate.

In 1969 he immigrated to Canada where he met and married Alison Large. They lived several years in Montreal and Vancouver before making their permanent home on Lake Kathlyn, just outside Smithers.  

In Smithers Paul worked at Tony’s Delicatessen, The Smithers Day Care Center, Chandler Park School, and The Alternate School.  Through work with young people, he discovered a love of teaching which gave him great pleasure and satisfaction for the rest of his life.  

He studied through Waterloo University and at UBC, and from 1985 to 2009 he taught French at Smithers Secondary School.  He loved being part of this community and treasured his connection with the many students, colleagues, and friends he met along the way.

Paul is survived by his wife Alison; children Erin and Andrew (Jen); and grandson Leo. His extended family includes the Jennifer and Brian Rogers family from Victoria; the Gely family from Hyeres; the Sallettaz/Bernard family from Toulon and Nice; the Francois-Xavier Cals family from Rome; and the Candela Family in Madrid.

Paul would want to say a warm “Adieu et Merci”, to all of you who shared in his life and made it good.