Paul Wesley Broadbent

Paul (Pauliwheels) Wesley Broadbent, age 64, of Ft Lauderdale passed away Thursday, September 22, 2022, at Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, just 2 weeks shy of his 65th birthday. He was born October 6,1957 in Detroit, Michigan. Paul was the third child of Nettie Mae (Connell) and Charles Broadbent. He is survived by two sisters, Deborah Engle of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Jackie McDonald (Don) of Gilbert, Arizona; one brother, John Broadbent of Oakland Park, Florida; and stepfather Jack McAlpine of Mesa, AZ. Brothers Bobby and Michael preceded him in death, as did his parents. Paul never married.

Paul was raised in Flat Rock, Michigan. His elementary school Glee Club awakened his interest in music, and he taught himself to play guitar, becoming quite talented over the years and loved playing records, usually too loud. He also liked playing ice hockey at the nearby ice pond with other neighborhood boys.

Paul was a 1975 graduate from Flat Rock High School. He was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy in his late teens, but Paul lived life his way and he soon moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His high school Woodshop class served him well, as he found employment as a woodworker, where he worked for many years. He also liked to play pool and was captain on several teams that won league championships. When he was no longer able to drive, he tooled around town in his electric wheelchair. He often sang Karaoke to entertain his friends, who he always considered to be a priority in his life. He was homebound for the last decade.

Paul always had strong opinions, but he came to those conclusions after thinking things through and considering the facts. He was always willing to listen to other opinions, but what he believed, he believed. He was also fiercely independent, continuing to live on his own his entire life. A medical emergency nearly cost him his life in 2021, but after 2 months in the hospital, he chose to return to his home. Although he did without many things others would consider necessities, he never asked for help. He handled his own business affairs and medical decisions all the way to the end.

Paul’s cremains will be buried in the family plot at Pounds-Idlewild Cemetery, Idlewild, Tennessee, at an unknown date. The family suggests donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

 

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