Paul H. Christy, age 73, of Oshkosh passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and family at his side on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. He was born on February 26, 1942 in Ishpeming, Michigan to the late Harold "Bud" Christy and Alene (Fleck) Christy. He was united in marriage to Ramona "Natasha" LaBay in 1974 in Iron Mt., Michigan.Paul graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1960. He continued to pursue his education at Northern Michigan University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in English in 1968 and his master's degree from NMU in 1976. He was a teacher in Norway, Michigan for several years teaching English 11 and 12. Paul was the debate coach as well as being the director of the high school Drama Club. He was an adult education teacher and took great pride in introducing the adult students to the great American writers of literature. Some if his favorite writers were William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway and T. S. Eliot. However, his love of the arts was most evident when he was teaching William Shakespeare. Paul's ability to deliver famous lines from Macbeth, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello and King Lear from memory was a source of amazement to his family and friends.Paul was an avid trout fisherman when he was a young man, a sport he learned well from his father Bud Christy and his grandfather Jesse Fleck. He passed on his passion for trout fishing to his own two sons Marc and Eric. Early on in their married life, Paul taught his wife Natasha how to fish. She enjoyed the beauty of nature more than fishing and on more than one occasion was told to, "be quiet," because she was scaring the fish away. She committed the ultimate sin one day when she rolled up her jeans and waded out into the river just upstream from where he was fishing. He told that story for years which produced many good laughs and wonderful memories.Paul joined the Oshkosh writers group and enjoyed reading his poetry to fellow members. He was a prolific writer and created over 700 free verse poems in his life time. Thanks to son Eric for editing and organizing your dad's poems. A special thanks to Tom Cannon a fellow member of the writers group for getting Paul's book of poetry, titled "Nuances of Time", published in October of 2014. It was Paul's lifetime dream to have his poetry published. At the time of his death, Tom and Eric were collaborating on a 2nd book "Nuances of Time Two" which will be published in the near future.Paul was a Mercy Medical volunteer for the past 17 years. He served in the transport dept. He amassed over 7000 hours of volunteered time with dedication and love. To all of Paul's co-volunteers, the family of Paul Christy thanks you for your concern, cards, well wishes for his recovery—but most of all for your prayers. He felt it was an honor to share time with all of you.The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic for their dedication in attempting to get Paul's cancer into remission. To all the wonderful staff in the chemo and radiation departments, his wife thanks you for your kindness to Paul during his treatments. A special thank you to our family doctor, Dr. Alzoubi and his staff, Kathy and Jenny. You are special.Paul was a member of St. Andrew Ev. Lutheran Church. Thank you to Pastor Karen Jewell for coming into our home to minister to Paul with prayers and Holy Communion. This has been a blessing to our entire family. Thank you Pam for not only being a family friend, but for helping Pastor Jewell minister to Paul with heartfelt prayers. A special thanks to my dear friend Patty for your love and support throughout the years. Your kindness to Paul and my family are appreciated more than we can express. To my neighbors, Gayle, Char & Tom, thank you for your kindness and help during these past few months.To our daughter Sherry, for all the times you made your dad feel loved and so special. Dad's poem for you:A girl, such as you,So kind and considerateShould have the whole worldYou have God on your sideNow I tell you a secretYour Daddy loves you best of all.To our granddaughter Sabra, Grandpa's poem for you:What significance arrivesWhen you were bornHow proud your mother, father, sisterHow proud your grandma and grandpaYou with beauty-goodness With you-God took the road not often takenTo daughter Sally, What can be said to tell you how grateful our family is that you were here to assist dad with keeping him comfortable duringhis final days/hours/minutes.To son Donnie, thank you for being here to hold my hand and to give your hands of strength to dad. To our son Ron, for your calls over the years asking dad for his advice on writing your own book. To son Marc, for bringing your own sons up to the hospital for one last visit with their grandfather.The family would like to give a special thanks to the Aurora Hospice staff in assisting us in Paul's needs. To Shelly, your thoughtfulness was appreciated. To our special RN, Ashley Rankin, your professional guidance and gentle spirit was an invaluable gift to our family.Paul is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ramona "Natasha" LaBay: a loving brother, Deacon Donald (Donna) Christy of Iron Mt, MI; sons: Marc Christy of Norway, MI and Eric (Joyce) Christy of Jackson, WI; daughter, Sherry (Russell) Bousley of Dunbar, WI; step children: Ronald J. Deiter, Donald S. Deiter and Sally ( Mark) Hay of West Jefferson, OH; sister-in-law, Claudette Therrian of Escanaba, MI; and grandchildren: Stacie, Evelyn, Leah, Ashley, Sabra, Michelle, Alexandra, Mitchell, Cole Paul, Marcus, Kyle, Marco, Diego, Jefferson and Christopher. He is further survived by many great-grandchildren and nieces/nephews.Paul will be sorely missed by his wife, family, friends and all that knew him through his poetry.I SleepI sleep onWithering awayThe edge of my soulIn the shadows of light.Splashed on the warm deep currentNight ushers images of saints in whiteThe synapses stopped and crossedVague impressions in and out of consciousnessSpirits in white robesBlessed am I. Paul H. Christy