Paul Read

[Robin Harrison]

It is with great sadness that I pass on the news that Paul has died.

     He peacefully passed away yesterday surrounded by his close family and passed with grace and dignity.

        I know many of you will know him having bought a concertina from him or had a concertina repaired by him; he was pretty much the only person on this side of Canada who did concertina repairs.

      He was a longtime Toronto morris man and together with his wife Mary, founded and ran a folk club in Toronto for 10 years.

           He and I started the Toronto trad. Music Session that ran for 15 or so years until Covid did for it.

 He played both English concertina and Anglo.

    A thoroughly likeable man and just a great bloke.

Robin

[Sohcahtoa]

I just saw the post on the Another Bloody Folk Club facebook page. Very sad that we've lost Paul, and indeed a massive loss to the concertina playing community here in Canada especially. Paul was always helpful for me over the years as I waded into the world of vintage instruments, and he was generous with his time and opinions on different concertinas as I learned my way around them. He was a good dude and will be missed. 

 

Brandon Gidley

[Alex West]

Very sad to hear this Robin.  I met Paul at your house and also saw him at Sidmouth a few years ago.  A good friend and a great loss

 

Alex West

[Jim Besser]

Sad news indeed.  He will be missed.

 

[Matthew Heumann]

Really a tragic loss. I first met Paul through Frank Edgley and later Paul attended one of my classes at Celtic College (Goderich, Ontario). He has sold many fine refurbished concertinas to people I know. We lost one of the really good ones!

[d.elliott]

I corresponded with Paul, but never met him. as said by others, a very sad loss to us all

[David Barnert]

I only met him the once, when the three of us (Robin, Paul and I) had lunch together during a Button Box Concertina Workshop weekend one April, some 15 - 20 years ago in the Amherst area. He seemed like just the kind of guy you’d like to have around. Sorry for the loss.

[Dan Worrall]

Very sorry to hear that, Robin. I met him once and corresponded a few times. Very nice fellow and a great concertina resource.

[Karen P]

So sad to hear of Paul’s passing.  When I was looking for my first concertina, here in western Canada, I connected with him and he was so helpful in sharing information and providing me with a vintage Lachenal.  Sincere condolences to his family.  He will be missed.