Epilogue: News Observer publisher, Paul Smith's sudden death stuns family, friends

Paul Smith doing what he loved best.

By FRED KRUPSKI
      Officiating at my friend's funeral service, a mandate given to me to perform by his wife Autumn, was one of the most difficult assignments I have ever been given. I realize my 15 minute eulogy was faltering and emotional and for that I apologize to the almost 200 who attended. My remarks about Paul merely touched the surface of his interesting life. Had I been able to control my emotions I would have added many more aspects of his fife and the memories he left me, his family and his many, many friends.
      Paul passed away in his sleep in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 21st.
      Upon reflection several things came back to me. An example is the following scenario: Assuming there is a heavenly band somewhere behind those golden gates, I can picture Paul being greeted by Pops (Satchmo), Dizzy, Earl Hines, King Oliver and some other trumpet players as they call over to Gabriel to have them all move over one seat because another musician has joined the horn section. (Interestingly, Louis Armstrong also died in his sleep in the early morning hours, when his heart failed).
      In addition to his skill as a printer and newspaper publisher, his passion was his horns, of which he owned several, including a trombone that he played on occasion when his lip was in good shape. His musical emphasis was not on what was currently in vogue but offered his listeners melodic strains, that those who listened to him at the Elks Lodge, Heidi's, Dino's Lounge, or at a vast number of other venues, could enjoy simply hearing, or dancing to. He was a "dance band horn player" that added that special ingredient when playing with "3's Company," a trio headed by Chuck Gudgel on keyboard which often included vocals and a sax. Paul rarely went anyplace without a couple of pieces of brass in the trunk of his car and was always available to fill in on any gig - anytime, anyplace and anywhere. Among our other vast interests we also had music in the forefront.
      Paul Smith and this reporter were as close as two people can get. We were good friends and business partners, a relationship that was unique in the fact that we never bothered with written contracts. A handshake was all we needed. We enjoyed too, our own special brand of humor, whether on the golf course where he could out drive my woods with his 5 iron, or our similar evaluations of people we encountered in our private and business association.
      We each served as each others best man at our last marriage. He was so good a friend that Sue and I selected him rather than my own brother - because he was more than a brother. He was my buddy.
      His unexpected death was a shock. Shocking because I was expected to meet my maker first. Since my recent illness and semiretirernent last February, Paul would call me at home every morning at 9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday to inquire as to my health. He often used a subterfuge, but I knew the reason for his regular calls. He cared.
      Paul Smith was a strong man, both physically and mentally. He was the most ethical and honest person I've ever known. His humor and his ability to quickly cut to the chase of problems were remarkable. He was the newspaper's great mediator. Where I saw problems, he saw only common sense solutions. He was the partner to die for.
      His family and his friends knew his predilection for dependability. He helped his friends, organizations and others known to him for only a short time. He was generous - almost to a fault. He was a mavin.
      He will be missed greatly, not only for his understanding, patience, skills and musicianship, but as a husband to Autumn, a father to little Deanna, and daughter Jessica and his sons and stepson.
      Our relationship lasted over 20 years. There will not be another to replace it in my lifetime.

High-Tech Publishing Comes to Titusville

By: Scott Cook
      Take a handful of talented people and add state-of-the-art publication technology and you have the first total in-house printing/publication enterprise in all of Florida.
      Ebon Research Systems Publishing, LLC opened their facility at 8850 Grissom Parkway in October. Located behind the Titusville Police Department, the company offers an array of full-service printing and publication services to the community.
      For instance, there are a variety of printers available for public use - from traditional copy machines to full-color digital-imaging printers.
      The company also is capable of producing letterheads, envelopes, business cards, magazines, manuals and even books for aspiring novelists.
      Lori Edmonds, project manager, oversees a nine-person staff that includes graphic designers, an editor, art director, illustrator, marketing director and advertising director.
      She said that, for instance, if a person wants to publish a magazine, then that person could send the project to them on a compact disc or e-mail the project to them.
      The entire project is then scrutinized and worked on by the crew until a price quote is given to the customer.
      And if a customer has a glitch with a design concept, graphic designers are on hand to help out.
      "Everything is done right here," Edmonds said. "We're a one-stop shop, the only one in Florida and only one of four (of its type) in the entire country."
      Edmonds feels the new business is good for Titusville and the community.
      "I think we could create some growth in the community," she said. "And we're here to add business diversity to the community."
      Edmonds already sees the business growing substantially. She plans on hiring more staff in the near future.
      "We're new and we're ready to run hard," she said.
      But she added that perhaps, the most important aspect of the new publication house is that everything involving the project is done totally on the premises.
      "We're actually able to complete everything right here," Edmonds said. "We're able to get a job done and get it done right while meeting our customers' needs. And we are able to meet everyone's needs."
      For more information, contact either Edmonds or Bridget Derr at 321-267-6560 or log on to their website at www.ebonresearchsystems.com

Capt. Ron Thorstad and Bob Socks get a birds eye view of the area aboard Space coast Nature Tour's new Flying Inflatable Boat

Space Coast Nature Tours take sight seeing to new heights

Getting away over holidays was catharsis after personal loss

From left; Joe (Cobbler) Thamert, Santa; Geoff Coggan (queen) The Great Outdoors, and Bryan Callighan (jester) Seasons In The Sun, have a Christmas chuckle at the Krupski's annual holiday party.

      What to do?
      Too late to call off the party, so instead it became a celebration of Paul's life, albeit a sad one. After most of our guests arrived they sensed something was terribly wrong. I told them what happened that Saturday morning and apologized that the tone of our gathering would necessarily change. But good friends understand these things and we were able to salvage the day. I must admit that Jack Daniels helped immensely.
      What also helped was the recounting of our trip up the coast. Sue had made reservations at the swanky Casa Monica hotel, which was superb, but where the tight security caused a minor problem for me since my faculties weren't all functioning. Watching some nuts swimming in the second floor rooftop pool when the temperature was a skin biting 39 degrees, I decided to have -a closer look.
      However I forgot to take my room key card. No problem I thought. I'll just knock on the door when I returned.
      Not so!
      Pushing the elevator button from the lobby I discovered that one must have possession of the card for the elevator to move. A security guard, dressed handsomely in Brooks Brothers attire gave me a good once-over and after hearing my tale of woe decided I was no threat. I now believe that it was my own attire that convinced him I wasn't a hotel burglar after the valuables of the guests.. Why? Earlier in the day I purchased a new chapeau at an Irish shop in old downtown St. Augustine. It was a Black Watch plaid Tam-0-Shanter, complete with the round, flat top and a fuzzy center tassel. Completing the ensemble was my Black Watch golf slacks, matching turtleneck and brand new navy cashmere Thomas Grant cardigan sweater- a Christmas gift from Sue.
      That evening, feeling goofy silly and excessively talkative (no doubt taking my mind away from Paul) I engaged several people at the hotel bar in conversation. Using my best Donegal dialect I had them convinced I just got off the boat. Sue was in stitches. But like the old Irish proverb;, lover a bottle you meet the best people in pubs.'
      "Did you just arrive in America?" asked one lady.
      "No, I've been here a couple of days now, but my missus here, Sue herself is a Yank," I replied. Satisfied with my performance I said my home was Dublin and was about to extol the virtues of my native land when Sue gave me one of those "stop before you go to far" looks. My impersonation was a success but my knowledge of the local Irish geography could have tripped me up, as Sue knew.
      It was one of the first hearty laughs we had since the prior Saturday and proved therapeutic. In fact I enjoyed the role-playing so much I repeated the performance at the bar in the Columbia Restaurant. After several Irish coffee's it became even funnier and even mollified the hour long wait for a table.
      After returning home I immediately gorged myself in the several books I received for Christmas. Among those I would strongly recommend: ""Bush At War," by Bob Woodward; "American: Beyond Our Grandest Notions," by Chris Matthews, and "The Conquerors," by Michael Beschloss.
      There is nothing like reading to occupy yourself when not wishing to dwell on the unpleasant.

      Other items or conversation that lightened the party was the gaff in the last edition of the News Observer.
      In the event you missed it (and it appears few readers did) we had a beaut of a typo on the top of page 5 in the December 19 issue. After seeing it one women called the Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department and applauded them for their liberal attitude concerning alternative lifestyles - particularly in north Brevard (particularly Titusville) widely recognized as a hotbed of homosporous rigidity.
      The headline read; Adult Fag Football League forming.
      The reader appeared only to object to the term "Fag," suggesting another word would have been more tasteful; such as queer, fruit, fairy or pansy was more. appropriate. I would have opted for Gay, but what do I know. I didn't write it.
      I must say that I was forewarned by Paut when the paper hit the streets to be prepared when the assault struck. "I don't know how I missed that one," said Paul chuckling at the abuse he knew I would receive in the next few hours, days, and as it developed ... weeks after the publication. He got the last laugh.
      Another item under discussion that broke the ice was my purchase of the Q-Ray bracelet. A one-hundred dollar scam the inventors claimed would cure everything from bursitis to corns. All they forget to send was the snake oil.
      A week after receiving the thing in the mail Florida Today ran an item in the Health Section warning people not to fall for it. I should have known better but desperate people ".do desperate things. At least I called the 800 number within 15 minutes and saved an additional 50 bucks. I was so ashamed about what I did I kept it hidden in a drawer for over a week before making a full confession to Sue about how I was taken and said I charged it on Visa.
      Guilt proscribed that I quickly pressed her palm with a C note.
      Finally, for all those asking about the future of the News Observer I can only say that Autumn and I decided to continue publishing. If she's willing to go for it, so am I. Just be patient with us for awhile. Paul's death will be felt for a long time.

By BOB SOCKS

New Mall in Cocoa

Port Canaveral News

Real estate transactions of note

• A home was sold at 709 Baytree Drive (Great Outdoors) for $410,000.
• A home was sold at 929 Grande Haven Drive (Great Outdoors) for $365,428.
• A home was sold at 2005 Londontown Road (Sherwood) for $224,000.
• A building was sold at 4010, Coquina Ave. (Indian River City) for $210,000.
• A home at 2547 Christopher Drive (Sanctuary II) sold for $209,285.
• A home was sold at 2765 Fawn Lake Blvd. (Fawn Lake) for $191,000.
• A home sold at 3270 Treetop Drive (Central Park) for $183,428.
• A home sold at 2240 Country Club Drive (Royal Oak) for $182,428.
• A home sold at 1348 Meadow Lark Drive (Meadowridge) for $179,142.
• A home sold at 5890 Hummingbird Court (Meadowridge) for $170,285.
• A home sold at 2245 Sarazan (Royal Oak) for $169,000.
• A 4-plex sold at 3476 Fox Hollow Drive (Fox Hollow) for $153,000.
• A home sold at 1498 Meadow Lark Drive (Meadowridge) for $151,571.

Titusville Business License Report - December 2002

Investment analysis

Strictly my opinion

• Cabinets Plus says to clean out your closets and let them help you organize them for better storage space.
• PRC Bulk Mail is in The Mail Center and can help you with complete direct mail services. See the ad for details.
• William Tumblin & Associates can take care of your tax preparation for personal, partnerships, corporation and estate taxes at 325 S. Indian River Ave. Call him for an appointment to go over your taxes.
• There's a 50's & 60's Sock Hop at Bon John's Robbin's Nest Lounge on Sat., Jan. 11 starring "Rocky" from the Sterling Cruise Lines playing country music. Go out for a fun night.
• Mr. Submarine & Salads is offering a customer appreciation coupon for $1 off when you buy (1) whole cold sub or large salad. Go in and save for lunch or dinner.
• Take in PC's to Go ad and get 10% off any of their computer services. See ad for other information.
• Janet 0' Brien & Maggie Favale of The Little Hair Studio at 3435 S. Hopkins Ave. invites you to come in and get a new look for 2003, for a cut and style, color, manicure, pedicure, waxing and more.
• Robert K. Ross, CTP, a tax professional for 40 years, is located at 117 Broad St., in the Baldwin Shopping Center. Call him to help you with your taxes.
• There's a storewide sale at Simply Precious with many items from 25% to 50% off on Fri. and Sat., Jan. 10 and I I from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Raintree Arts & Crafts Supply Center has a new supply of beads & findings and they have classes starting soon.
• Get 10% off at Clay Locke's Coastal Window & Tint on any house or commercial window tint. Call for an appointment.
• Are you making wedding plans? Stop in Formal Oasis at 213 S. Hopkins Ave. for wedding apparel and be sure to see their ad for other details.
• Next door, Custom Designs Party Store has wedding gifts and all your rental wedding needs for the ceremony.
• Go out to the Great Outdoors Golf & Country Club for a round of golf and use their $5 off coupon in the ad and save.
• Plantation on the Green has karaoke every Fri. night plus whole Maine lobsters.
• Steve Smith at AAMCO Transmission says he has turned the business around with no complaints last year. Stop in for any transmission service and let them help you.

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