I was Paul’s neighbor on Shore Road in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn from 2006 to 2014. During those years, I got to know Paul very well. We had many interesting conversations about all sorts of topics from music, history, books and Paul’s past.
Paul was an avid reader and an amateur photographer who enjoyed photographing nature and candid shots of people enjoying Bay Ridge.
Paul was always very proud to show me the photos he took on his old camera.
He would photograph flowers in gardens of people’s homes, trees along Shore Road, the water and ships coming in and out of the harbor. He also photographed different angles of buildings that caught his interest. Paul was proud of those pictures.
He was a unique and interesting man. Cultured and well spoken, he recommended books for me to read.
He spoke to me about his years as a teacher and also about his time overseas where he was briefly engaged when he was young.
Paul never married and had no children. He was a perfect example of “don’t judge a book by its cover”. Although Paul had an unkept appearance, his intellect made up for that. If anyone would speak with him, they more than likely wouldn’t forget him. I didn’t.
I once gifted Paul a used Citizen watch because his old watch broke. The watch was a gold and silver tone. Nothing special but it was to Paul. He wore that watch every single day after I gave it to him with pride. He would say that when he walked into a store, people wouldn’t look at him but instead at his watch. I’m sure that wasn’t the case but it showed that it was special to him and that made me happy.
Paul and I lost contact after I moved from the building where we both lived. He popped in my mind for reasons unknown so many years later so I googled his name. I was saddened to read that Paul passed away. I was also saddened to hear that nobody came forward to give him a proper burial or acknowledge his life.
So I have written this to tell everyone that a man named Paul Tropea existed. Although little is known about Paul, I shared here what I know to leave some small evidence that Paul walked on this earth and was not forgotten by me.
Rest in the Peace, my friend.
-Chris
Paul was an avid reader and an amateur photographer who enjoyed photographing nature and candid shots of people enjoying Bay Ridge.
Paul was always very proud to show me the photos he took on his old camera.
He would photograph flowers in gardens of people’s homes, trees along Shore Road, the water and ships coming in and out of the harbor. He also photographed different angles of buildings that caught his interest. Paul was proud of those pictures.
He was a unique and interesting man. Cultured and well spoken, he recommended books for me to read.
He spoke to me about his years as a teacher and also about his time overseas where he was briefly engaged when he was young.
Paul never married and had no children. He was a perfect example of “don’t judge a book by its cover”. Although Paul had an unkept appearance, his intellect made up for that. If anyone would speak with him, they more than likely wouldn’t forget him. I didn’t.
I once gifted Paul a used Citizen watch because his old watch broke. The watch was a gold and silver tone. Nothing special but it was to Paul. He wore that watch every single day after I gave it to him with pride. He would say that when he walked into a store, people wouldn’t look at him but instead at his watch. I’m sure that wasn’t the case but it showed that it was special to him and that made me happy.
Paul and I lost contact after I moved from the building where we both lived. He popped in my mind for reasons unknown so many years later so I googled his name. I was saddened to read that Paul passed away. I was also saddened to hear that nobody came forward to give him a proper burial or acknowledge his life.
So I have written this to tell everyone that a man named Paul Tropea existed. Although little is known about Paul, I shared here what I know to leave some small evidence that Paul walked on this earth and was not forgotten by me.
Rest in the Peace, my friend.
-Chris