Paul Pettypiece - Biography

Biography

Paul at linotype at father's newspaper

Born in Ontario in 1947, I grew up in Forest (a town of 2,000 people near Sarnia close to Lake Huron), working for my father in the local weekly newspaper and commercial printing business as a typesetter, press operator, reporter and salesperson.

Paul at high school Key Club

In high school, I was active in the town and school concert bands playing drums and percussion. As president of the school Key Club I represented the school at a convention in New York City. I also won a national essay contest for writing a piece called 'Achieving World Peace'.

My life journey away from home started in 1967 after visiting Expo67 in Montreal and attending a weekly newspaper convention in Ottawa.

I lived in Manitoba for 6 years working in the printing industry in Winnipeg, Brandon, Carman and Minnedosa. At Red River College I received a diploma in Graphic Arts achieving the Sears Award for highest standing in class.

During that time, I learned to play the guitar and started a travelling singing group for the Baha'i community called 'There's a New Wind Blowing', promoting unity in diversity and the benefits of a world community based on justice, spirituality and mutual respect.

Married in 1972, Deb and I started our own business publishing a regional magazine called 'Focus on Western Manitoba'.

Image One models

In 1973, we headed further west and fell in love with the beauty, people and vibrancy of Red Deer and Central Alberta almost as soon as we arrived. Again I worked in the printing industry for several years as a graphic designer, layout artist and image assembler. In the late 1970's, we operated a school of modelling and personal development called 'Image One'.

During this time, my interests expanded to include urban planning, heritage preservation and model railroading. I was one of the founding members of the Alberta Central Model Railroad Club which, unfortunately, is no longer in existence. We were also quite active in the Red Deer Baha'i community.

Paul with son Michael

Our only son, Michael, was born in November 1978 while living in Sylvan Lake. After a period of upheaval in our lives, we separated for a year and divorced in 1981.

wedding of Paul and Laddi

I decided to make many changes in my life and had the opportunity to work for a local engineering company assisting with report production, surveys and research for a number of transportation studies. During that time, I met a wonderful woman by the name of Laddi Earle (Hughes).

Innisfail water tower (now gone)

Laddi and I married in December 1982 and lived in Innisfail for 14 years managing an apartment building for 9 of those years while pursuing other career goals. After working as a production manager and photographer, I worked for 13 years as a driver education instructor both in-car and classroom, travelling throughout the province working with teens, adults, immigrants and corporations teaching basics to advanced traffic safety.

Springbrook entrance

In 1996, we bought a condo in the new hamlet of Springbrook, the former living quarters for the closed CFB Penhold. In the 11 years living in the community, I have served for several on the Springbrook Community Association Board and the Springbrook Condominium Board. I have also been active in the establishment of a trail linking the hamlet with Penhold and Red Deer.

Another career change occurred in 1999 when I started training and getting licenced as a financial coach marketing mutual funds, seg funds and life insurance. For five years, I worked with young families, individuals and team members in developing financial strategies in investments, income protection, debt elimination and goal setting.

Paul at Wizard training

During this time I also developed interests in personal development, health improvement, the environment and the opportunities of values-based business. I took several courses and camps with Harv Eker, founder of Peak Potentials, including Warrior and Wizard camps, Train the Trainer, Millionaire Mind Intensive, Life Directions and SuccessTracs.

Early in 2005, I launched an internet business that combined my interests in website creation, design, the internet, community development, history and promotion of the region, called AbundanceNet. It is the parent business for a network of internet entities that include two netMagazines -- Springbrook-Waskasoo Life and Focus on the Red Deer Region -- as well as Abundance Creations for attractive, economical, purpose-driven website design.

My hobbies in the past included playing drums and guitar, stamp collecting, photography and transportation and urban planning. Presently, my primary hobbies include website development, personal development, geneology, transportation history and model railroading.
Musical artists I listen to frequently are: Enya, Alan Parsons Project, Adiemus, Moody Blues, Mike Oldfield, Beautiful World, Leonard Cohen, Shania Twain, Gordon Lightfoot, Susan Aglukark, Eric Clapton, Sheena Easton, Vangelis, Sting, The Guess Who, David Foster, Blondie and Seals and Crofts.
My favourite musical movie is Evita.
My favourite computer games are Freecell, RiskII and Simcity4.