Yahoo News Tributes to popular Blyth businessman and 'proud' grandad who died 'unexpectedly' aged 60
Tributes have been paid to a popular businessman and "proud" family man who had recently become a grandad for the first time.
Paul Donaldson passed away unexpectedly on July 1, aged 60. He was known to many for his work as head of security at Blyth Spartans and his time working as a coach driver in the North East, as well as a series of other jobs working in the community.
But at home he had always been a devoted dad to his three sons Mitch, 31, Tait, 27, and Cole, 21. And when he became a grandad to baby Jax in March this year he was "besotted", his family told ChronicleLive.
Mitch said: "He absolutely idolised Jax and I'm so glad that he got to experience being a grandad. He loved him." Paul's wife Beaula added: "I would go so far as to say he was besotted with him. He was always a very proud dad, but he was certainly a proud grandad."
Paul, who was originally from Walker and moved to Blyth, had a passion for football and was a huge Newcastle United and Blyth Spartans supporter. He was a Newcastle season ticket holder and loved going to the match. But also enjoyed helping out at Blyth Spartans, where he went on to become head of security.
On the day before he passed away, Paul had enjoyed watching England's Euro 2024 match against Slovakia when Harry Kane saw the Three Lions through to the next round after scoring within the first seconds of extra time.
Mitch said: "During the match we were slating Gareth Southgate and slating the England squad. Then Harry Kane scored and we were texting saying that we've always loved Southgate's tactics and always thought he was brilliant, just joking around. He went out and enjoyed himself but in the early hours of Monday morning he sadly passed away."
Mitch finds comfort in knowing that he was able to have a laugh with his dad about the football before he passed away. He added: "I know it's inevitable but it still came as a shock, you just never expect it when it happens, especially that young."
Paying tribute to his dad, Mitch said: "He was the life and soul of the party and very sociable. He was a very caring and compassionate man and very generous. He had a lot of time for everyone and that's why he was so well respected. He gave everyone the time of day."
Paul's family recalled how Paul had turned 60 on Christmas Eve and had been celebrating the milestone ever since. On December 28, around 200 people turned up to Cullercoats Crescent Club to celebrate his birthday. His family described how he had "packed out this room" and had not been expecting to see so many people. "What was more surreal was that there were a lot of people who couldn't make it because it was between Christmas and New Year", they added.
Paul had come to know many people throughout his life, partly due to his jobs working within the community. He had started working at a bingo hall after he left school to save money before joining the Army for five years, where he became a Royal Pioneer.
Mitch said his dad would often look back on his time in the Army and "loved the friends that he met" during that time, many of whom he kept in touch with. His family have arranged for Paul to have a Guard of Honour and the Last Post sounding at his funeral.
Following his stint in the Army, Paul became a doorman at Sands nightclub in Whitley Bay. He then got a job as a coach driver for Northumbria Buses, before setting up his own coach company, Premier Buses, which recently celebrated its 29th anniversary.
He started the company alongside business partners Stevie Elliott and Jim Brown and would run a bus from Blyth to Whitley Bay every Saturday night. He would also do school runs and private hires. During that time he also had a property business and a painting and decorating business, before moving on to run The Waterloo pub in Blyth, around 2015.
Mitch said: "He made it back into a family pub. He started doing Sunday dinners that were really popular and food. It became a nice pub with people who would never normally step foot in there because it became a nice family pub."
But Paul didn't stop there and after helping out at Blyth Spartans for a number of years he became head of security at the club. In a tribute on social media, the club said: "Everyone at the club is devastated to hear the passing of Paul Donaldson.
"'Don' ran match day security at Croft park for the past four seasons supported by his three sons Tait, Mitch and Cole. He was very well respected in the community and will be greatly missed. All our thoughts are with Paul's family and friends."
Mitch, who runs a theatre company, said: "Dad lived 110 miles an hour. As much as we begged him to take it easy and relax, he was someone who would thrive under pressure."
He added: "As a family we have found comfort in people's stories that have been shared. There's a mass quantity of them. We've been getting messages and the majority have been saying 'your dad helped me with this', 'he was there for me when I needed him', 'he offered me support and was really nice and almost like a father figure'. The legacy somewhat for me is that an act of random kindness can have a lasting impression on someone."
