Paul M. was Gary B.'s sponsor (the man who
wrote the personal note below which talks
about Paul's life and work).

(Paul was also my great-great grand sponsor.)

Paul M.'s first sponsor was Earl Treat
("He Sold Himself Short") who founded A.A. in
Chicago. Earl's sponsor was Dr. Bob.


--- In AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Custer" <generalc@...> wrote:
>
> I received this today. God bless, Mike :)
>
> We lost another piece of AA history linking us
> to the founders. Paul Martin, 87 years old and
> 62 years sober. His sponsor was Tom Powers who
> helped Bill Wilson edit and publish the 12x12.
> Below is an official obituary that was in a
> local paper and a personal note from Gary B.
> a long time sober friend of Paul's.
>
> Rest in peace Paul, we will carry the torch!
>
> - - - -
>
> I returned home yesterday from Paul's wake and memorial service. This was the
third time I have been privileged to not only be with Paul but many of his
sponsees and friends. The first two times I was asked to chair (more like
emcee) the celebrations of his 50 years and 60th years of sobriety.
>
> I met Paul 36 years ago when he spoke at the Wyatts meeting in Denver . He
had been invited to speak there by a fellow known as Big Frank McKibbon. Frank
was big and tough and a true Big Book Step Nazi who said that I should come hear
Paul. I was surprised that Frank really looked up to anyone so I figured I
better go. I left the meeting knowing that I had just met a man who really
believed that the 12 Step program of AA was indeed "sufficient" for alcholics
and anyone else who might be motivated to go to the lengths we need.
>
> 24 years ago I called Paul with my ass hanging out and jam on my face and
asked him for help. I had not drank, but I was living a life of infidelity,
dishonesty in all my affairs--my wife still says I was depressed during that
time. Other than the depression that is a symptom of alcoholism I have no other
experience with that.
>
> Paul and his group, the LaGrange group, firmly believe and practice repeated
trips through the 12 steps. Each time they do that they swap 5th Steps with
several other people, and are extremely diligent in making all the amends to
remain current. I learned that the repeated process thru the 12 Steps in order
relieves alcoholics of the depression, anxiety, fear and all those other things
the sober alcoholic contends with.
>
> Paul always believed that guilt is the cause of depression. In fact, he was
sure that Wilson would not have had his depressions if he would have kept his
pecker in his pants.
>
> I last spent several hours with Paul this last Spring when he was in
Bloomington, Indiana, undergoing a series of heavy radiation. His conversations
were always about AA. He said he knew I don't really enjoy speaking on the
circuit but asked me to continue to do it when I was asked so I could continue
to share my experience with amends.
>
> Paul spent the last 3+ months in a retirement center/nursing home. I am told
that this past August there was a young man taking a tour of the home with his
parents. The parents were thinking of moving there. The lady giving the tour
always spoke to each resident as they passed by. She would say "Hi Joe" or "Hi
Mary" etc., but when they passed Paul she said "Hi Paul Martin." The group
passed by and then the young man returned and asked Paul if he was the guy who
knew Bill Wilson. Paul said he was and asked what he could do for the young
man. The kid said he was 3 years sober and was having trouble getting along
with his parents. Paul said "Do you have your amends list in your pocket?"
>
> Paul then showed the kid how to write an inventory, told him to come back when
he had it completed (Paul gave him one week). The kid came back, took 5th
Steps with Paul and a few of his friends. On September 10th the kid returned to
see Paul and said he had made all the amends with his parents and things were
getting better.
>
> All the years I knew Paul, I never once heard him change his mind about
anything regarding the AA program--the Twelve Steps. I asked Matt A., a 50 year
sponsee of Paul's if he ever heard Paul change his mind about any part of the
program. Matt said he never heard Paul change his mind about a damn thing.
>
> Three weeks ago Bryan B took Paul up to Mayo Clinic for some tests. The
doctor came into the room after two days of testing and before the doc could say
anything Paul asked "How long do I have." The doctor looked down while looking
for words when Paul said "I'm glad you didn't look at your watch."
>
> I'm sure someone will be telling more about his life. He spoke Spanish
fluently.. He interviewed many South American political figures, both winners
and losers of revolutions. He was a wonderful god father and friend.
>
> The wake and service were truly victory celebrations.
>
> Gary