Paul Duncan Livingston passed away Friday, September 21st, at the age of eighty-three, in the company of family at the home of his son. The youngest of seven, he is the last of the Livingston siblings to join the loving reunion in heaven. Paul's long life was set against a backdrop of Metro-Detroit landmarks, classic and contemporary cars, Annunciation school, and the catalogue of addresses he loved to drive past on a Sunday drive.

Throughout his life, Paul would be known by many names. A couple, Duncan and Billy, were explained through his yearly telling of the story of the day he was born and the day he was baptized -- a comedic routine that involved his mother secretly whispering an extra name while the priest performed the rite. A few less savory nicknames were given to him by an aunt -- "ye anti-Christer," "a shit in the brook," and "a fart in a mitt" among them -- which he loved to lob at others to get a laugh.

He was also Dad, Uncle, and Brother, and a loyal lifelong Friend to many. While no one could agree on one name for Paul-Billy-Duncan, the names of the characters in his stories never changed -- and much of the gang were reunited to celebrate his eightieth birthday.

But Paul was granted his favorite name later in life: Papa. And he truly took it straight to heart. It was obvious he used it as an excuse to never really grow old, playing pretend with his grandkids at every opportunity, and occasionally earning him an exasperated sigh from the grown-ups trying to keep him from wandering off to explore.

A true paragon of his Irish and Scottish heritage, he had the gift of gab his whole life, though he didn't get to touch the Blarney Stone until he was seventy. This also helped him in his chosen profession as a car salesman, a chauffeur, and the guy with backstage access to the Red Wings and the Tigers. The Luck o' the Irish followed him everywhere, keeping him out of most of the trouble he could have found. Paul's kind heart ignored risk if it had the opportunity to help a fellow in need. When his kids would ask what he had done that day, he'd often respond with "Do you want me to tell you the truth?" This was the cue that he'd spent some time lending money, doing favors, or giving a lift to strangers.

Papa will live on in the stories he told, the advice he doled out, and the useful quips he'd offer to crack you up. If you came upon some money (let's be honest, the money was usually the last $20 in his wallet he had just slipped you), he'd remind you to "Put it in your pocket, and don't let no one hock it!" or perhaps tell you to "Stick it in your vest, and give it a rest." For his single grandkids, he'd explain to them how to "Cut one outta the herd" to find a girlfriend or boyfriend; and anyone who so much as waved to him as he passed by was someone who was "stuck to [him] like a dirty shirt." An entertainer through and through, he was ready with a ditty, a whistle, a tap dance, or a jazzy scatting routine. Everyone who knew Paul will remember that "mares eat oats," "a fish is an animal who lives in a brook," and that he used to "have a woman who was six feet tall."

In his final weeks, Paul confided in his oldest granddaughter that what he hoped to be remembered by was what a wonderful family he had. And if the size of the family is any indication of the love it can contain, then he'll be remembered well, often, and for a long time to come.

He will be lovingly remembered by his two children, Claudette and Paul; his son-in-law Clifford and daughter-in-law Sue, who he treated like they were always his own; seven grandchildren, Crystal, Arielle, "Boy" Cameron, Autumn, Chelsea, Codi, and "Girl" Cameron; five nieces and nephews Jonnie, Kellie, Laurie, Missy, Peggy, and Ronnie, and fourteen great nieces and nephews Amanda, Amy, Audrey, Cara, Chantelle, Colin, Garret, Ian, Lauren, Lea, Lindsey, Michelle, and Scott. He is survived by Pat Fingers, his partner. His former wife and the mother of his children, Pierrette Czachorowski, survives him as well.

Paul is predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Jack, Hilda, Margaret, Lorraine, Tommy, and Joan, and his parents Laura and Harry Livingston.

A Mass will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church, 95 Market Street, Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043 on Monday, October 1, 2018 at 11:30 A.M. (in state at 11:00 a.m.) with the Reverend Father Michael N. Cooney officiating.

Mr. Livingston will be laid to rest with full military honors at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.

in lieu of flowers the family of Mr. Livingston would like donations to be made in honor of Paul to one of the following three foundations: