Service – Paul O. – Memorial – 2000

About This Speaker Tape

A memorial service for Dr. Paul O., a physician and recovery icon known for his contribution to the Big Book's 'Acceptance' passage on page 449. Speakers, including his daughter Paula, his wife Max, and his sponsor Jack, map out a life defined by a paradoxical blend of professional stature and raw, gritty sobriety.

They recount Paul's early days as an 'out-of-control drunk' who once tried to lock his liquor in a cabinet only to smash the lock with a hammer, and his later years as a mentor who rejected the 'cult of personality.' The narrative traces his journey from a psychiatric ward—where he mistakenly thought his wife was the one being committed—to becoming a pillar of the fellowship who insisted that the only way to survive a fatal disease was to absolutely insist on enjoying life.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Opening remarks and Serenity Prayer led by Father Jerry.
• 3:15 Paula reads the 'Acceptance' passage from page 449 of the Big Book.
• 7:40 Muriel shares the story of Paul's 'Listen and Love' tattoo and his fake 'Maxine' tattoo.
• 12:10 Muriel recounts Paul's dark humor regarding a man threatening suicide.
• 15:50 Jack Neeson describes Paul and his own history as 'out-of-control drunks' and their early meetings in 1967.
• 21:10 Scott Redman describes Paul's 'attitude adjustment' meetings and the 'identify all at once' gag.
• 26:40 Laughter: Scott shares the joke about the difference between a drunk and a drug addict.
• 31:20 Scott recounts Paul's final days in the hospital and the 'AA Army' pouring in.
• 36:10 Father Terry shares the story of Paul smashing the lock off his liquor cabinet with a hammer.
• 42:10 Max shares her thoughts on Al-Anon and tells a joke about a funeral.