I did not have the pleasure of meeting Paul, but he had a lot of good friends in the ski industry. His Baldy community friends were through his work at Apex.
In Loving Memory of Paul Allan Hirschfield
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Allan Hirschfield on Friday, October 16, 2026, following a brief illness.
Paul was born on December 22, 1956, in Dauphin, Manitoba. Always an adventurer with a love of the outdoors, Paul began his career in ski patrol, eventually becoming Patrol Director at Apex Mountain Resort in Penticton, where he served for many years. He also had a simultaneous second career as a Yukon Smokejumper, parachuting into wildfires and fighting them alongside a small band of likewise fearless brothers.
In later life Paul continued his firefighting efforts at the Penticton Air Tanker Base, doing the important work of loading planes with chemical retardant as they battled seasonal blazes across the province.
As a professional in each of these fields, Paul's expertise, work ethic, and generous nature were admired by all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
And it's impossible to count the number of his colleagues and connections who became close, lifelong friends. To know "Hirsch" was to know the warmest smile, the biggest heart, and the best collection of music on the planet. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than sharing and gifting his extensive collection of albums to everyone lucky enough to spin in his orbit.
Above all, Paul was a dedicated and loving father to his son, Jackson.
Paul will be dearly missed by his son, Jackson Hirschfield and his half-siblings, Michael and Danielle; his former wife and friend, Claudette McCarron; his brothers, Michael, Jeffrey and Richard Hirschfield. His loss will also be greatly felt by his step-siblings, Kurt Saunders, Margie Saunders, Laura Saunders and their mother, Margaret.
Paul was predeceased by his parents, Ozzie and Anne, and his stepbrother, Michael Saunders.
Between experiencing harrowing ski accidents, helicopter crashes, avalanches, bear chases and more, Paul cheated death on multiple occasions. Even now it hasn't really claimed him, because he lives on deeply and fiercely in the hearts of all who knew and loved him and he always will.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
To send condolences please visit www.providencefuneralhomes.com.
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