‘Uncle Johnny’ Pauls remembered as pillar of Spaniard’s Bay Legion
By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Olivia Bradbury
This year, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #9 in Spaniard’s Bay lost its longest-standing member. John Pauls, a WWII veteran who was a member of the Legion for over 80 years, passed away May 20 at the age of 102.
It is believed Pauls became embroiled in war activities 1942, the year he turned 18. He served in the merchant marine as an ordinary sailor helping to deliver supplies across the North Atlantic. It was a dangerous job, as the supply ships and convoys were a frequent target of German U-boats.
Pauls’ service brought him to many different countries. He was on a ship in New York when he heard the news that the war was over.
Pauls’ passion for the Spaniard’s Bay Legion was second to none. He once served as Legion president, but beyond that, his age did not stop him from being an active member. Current Legion President Paul Sheppard says Pauls helped out at events well into his senior years, even peeling vegetables and doing other physical tasks until he was as old as 90. At age 100, he still attended executive meetings as a guest so that he could share his thoughts. Even at his advanced age, he attended war memorial ceremonies, observing from a vehicle.
Pauls’ house was behind the Legion, and sometimes he would look out the window to see what people were doing there. He would call the Legion manager periodically to ask how the Legion was doing, financially or otherwise. Even at 102, he would walk down to the Legion every Thursday to have a beer and chat with the other members.
Pauls preferred that people call him “Uncle Johnny,” and he had a very strong bond with his fellow Legion members.
“Anybody in his presence was almost in awe,” said Sheppard, noting Legion members strove to ensure everything was up to par in the building whenever Pauls was present, but that Uncle Johnny always made everyone feel welcome.
“And we always made him feel welcome, of course, any time he stepped into the Legion,” said Sheppard, “because really, Uncle Johnny is a pillar of this Legion. He’s one of the first ones that got this place up and running and was very, very active in his day. He spent most of his time here.”
The branch runs a Remembrance Day program every year which sees local Grade 9 students visit the memory room and lounge, where members’ war memorabilia, such as medals, uniforms, and photos, are displayed. A Legion member talks to the students, who then write essays based on what they saw and learned. Sometimes Pauls himself spoke to the students. “He’d stand up and he’d be really proud with his suit on, and the kids would be in awe,” said Sheppard.
On Pauls’ 100th birthday, the Spaniard’s Bay Legion named the memory room after him. A plaque on the door reads, “Uncle Johnny’s Room,” and refers to it as the “Johnny Pauls Veterans Lounge.” Following his death, Pauls’ medals and other memorabilia were donated to the branch, which will eventually display them in a shadowbox in the lounge.
Sheppard wants people to remember that the Legion exists because of people like Pauls, who served their country.
“What we do, we try to bring the veterans back anytime we can,” said Sheppard. “And Pauls would be the focal point when anything would go on. I want people to remember him as Uncle Johnny.”
Sheppard said one of the reasons they named the lounge after Pauls was to preserve his memory after he was gone.
Sheppard noted these days the Legion is more of a business as it is a struggle to pay its bills. As a non-profit organization, it accepts donations. Anyone interested in donating can contact the office at (709) 786-3671. “And we’ll make it known it was a donation,” said Sheppard, who added that people can also support the Legion by attending its events.