Tributes pour in for beloved Warwick community man Paul Munson
The death of Paul Munson has marked the end of an era for Warwick, where his legendary hospitality made strangers into lifelong friends for more than half a century.
From an invitation to dine with the Queen to building his own English pub in the basement of his Queenslander where he would invite people for a pint while lighting his house in extravagant decorations each Christmas, Paul Munson was a legend of the Warwick community.
The Southern Downs community is mourning the Warwick icon who died on Friday, November 21 aged 72.
After a lifetime of embracing joy and a sense of community with anyone lucky enough to have called him friend or family, Mr Munson has been remembered by his wife Leanne and children Christine, Andrew, Jenny and Ben as someone who always had time for the Warwick community he loved dearly.
Paul’s daughter, Christine Robertson, said her father was the kindest, most generous man she knew and her and her siblings picked up his signature positive attitude.
“He was always looking on the bright side and looked for the positives in things,” Ms Robertson said.
“Everyone we spoke to has said what a gentleman he was and how he would do anything for anyone.”
Ms Robertson said Paul loved being a part of the community and seeing it grow, oftentimes opening his own home for those who needed it.
“He was always opening up his home to people and allowing them to host parties and whatnot,” she said.
“For anyone who wanted a drink he would always invite people in for a drink in his bar.”
Paul lived a full life with very little regrets, he had the opportunity to dine with the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 as state president of the Royal Society of St George.
He was also known throughout his life as a worker for the Stanthorpe Border Post and Warwick Daily News before going to work for Suncorp Insurance.
He moved on from Suncorp and started Warwick Insurance Brokers with his business partner, Peter McKenzie, before they changed the name to Darling Downs Insurance Brokers.
Paul was mostly known within his community for his famous authentic underground English pub underneath his classic Queenslander home.
In 2017, Paul told the Courier Mail it had always been a lifelong dream of his to own the pub and follow in his family’s footsteps.
Another pride of Paul’s life was his annual Christmas lights display where he would dress as Santa and entertain everyone, young and old, when they pulled up to his property.
Paul met his wife Leanne when he was 20 and she was 19 and the couple were married for 52 years.
Mrs Munson said he had many close friends and still kept in contact with everyone, even when they couldn’t go out often.
“He liked company, we had some very good friends and even when he was sick they were still coming to our house for dinner or we’d go out over to their place,” Mrs Munson said.
Mrs Munson said Paul loved living in Warwick and being part of its community.
“He always said as soon as you go on top of the hill, there’s my beloved Warwick,” she said.
“He couldn’t pass away in Warwick as circumstances weren’t right, but he was here at Christine’s house, he said it was nearly as good.
“He didn’t want to die in hospital so he never did.”
Originally published as Tributes pour in for beloved Warwick community man Paul Munson
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