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Paul Anthony Orr of Wheeling, WV died on August 8, 2023 at his home in Cuernavaca, Mexico. His 97 years were an ink-stained, wit-laced, open-hearted decision to realize life-- "every, every minute." Paul was a man of family and of God; a friend to all animals and most people; a proud Canadian- American; and a reader, writer, and teller of tales, even in the dimming of the light. He was, foremost and until the very last, a Teacher.
Paul was born on April 11, 1926, to William Orr and Kathleen (O'Flaherty) Orr in Toronto, Canada. He took a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola College (now Concordia University) and a Master of Arts in English from McGill University, both in Montreal. He completed his studies with a PhD in English Literature from Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, writing his dissertation on the works of the English poet Gerard Manley Hopkins.
After initial teaching at Notre Dame, Paul moved east to serve for several years as an Assistant Professor of English at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Paul began teaching at Wheeling University in 1956, its second academic year. Paul believed--he knew-- that an education in the liberal arts should be offered to everyone. So, for forty years, he did. Generations of students came through Paul's classroom, where with inimitable wit he explored poetry, the modern novel, and children's literature. Paul had a particular interest in Much Ado About Nothing and the plays of Shakespeare as performed in the 19th and 20th centuries--and each year he led students on a pilgrimage to see many of them performed at the Stratford Festival in his native Ontario. Paul presented nearly two dozen conference papers, was Chairman of the English Department for thirteen years, and served as President of the West Virginia Association of College English Teachers. Upon retirement from Wheeling Jesuit University in 1996, he was elevated to the rank of Professor Emeritus.
In Paul's retirement he traveled widely with children and a passel of grandchildren, showing them something of art and life in Stratford, London, Dublin, and Mexico. He was a patron and performer at Wheeling's Towngate Theatre, his artistic home for nearly fifty years. There Paul acted in parts ranging from offstage shouts to title roles--and, at the age of 87, made his debut as a playwright with A Widow's Tale. Paul's life spoke his values, invited you to share them. That stories are what make us human. That literature, verse, and song are the very stuff of life. And that what we love, we sanctify.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Denise Colaco; his beloved Elsie Jean McCulloch Orr, wife of 58 years; their son, Michael Hugh Orr; a daughter, Pegi Reese (William); and a grandson, Michael LaForce.
He is survived by three daughters, seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, dozens of nieces and nephews in the McCulloch and Colaco families, and thou- sands of his students.
In 2017 correspondence Paul wrote, "I think it was a philosopher with a large family who said that God writes straight with crooked lines." Paul's line is carried by his daughters: Kathleen Orr of Charlottesville, VA (Harry Dorsey); Moragh Orr Montoya of Cuernavaca, Mexico (Miguel Montoya), and Siobhan McCulloch-Orr of Courtenay, British Columbia (Darren LaForce). Eight grandchildren knew Paul's stories by heart, and so too will his ten great grandchildren: the late Michael LaForce (Heather Wells LaForce of Mentor, OH; Lauren and Christopher); Miguel Montoya of Cuernavaca, Mexico (Siobhan Montoya Lavender; Enrique, Riordan, and Gael); Patrick Orr Dorsey of Charlottesville, VA (Maria McCall Dorsey; Madeline and James); Tim Dorsey of Donnelly, ID (Leslie Van Niel Dorsey; Willa); Brian Dorsey of Columbus, OH (Alyssa Buckingham Dorsey); Paul Montoya of San Francisco, CA (Sophia Pantazes Montoya; Lucca and Elena); McCulloch LaForce of Lismore, New South Wales, Australia; and Liam LaForce of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Visitation, September 15, 2:00-4:00 PM, at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Wheeling, WV. Mass of Christian Burial, September 16, 2023, 10:00 AM, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Bellaire, OH, with Interment to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling, WV. Contributions may be made in Paul's mem- ory to the Towngate Theatre; to the Friends of St. Clairsville Public Library; or to Russell Nesbit Services-Wheeling Area Training Center for the Handicapped, an organization Paul co-founded to provide vocational training to those, like his son, who are affected by disabilities.
In his final years Paul was nourished by the grace, good humor, and care of Aida, Alejandra, Liz, Rocio, and Jennifer, to whom our family will be eternally grateful. In the months before Paul died, the refrigerator doors at his home in Mexico began to proliferate with his caretakers' notecards, listing Spanish-English translations of certain words essential to Paul: Coffee. Walking. Books. "He is teaching," Liz explained. "He is teaching English."
Donations can be given in Paul's memory by visiting www.TMCFunding.com.
Memories and condolences can be shared at www.altmeyerfuneralhomes.com