Paul Emile Cawein

Paul attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, majoring in history and English. He was drafted into the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a religious conscientious objector where he was diagnosed with type one diabetes and received a medical discharge. He attended the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Cambridge, Mass., in 1954, but left the following year determining that he was gay. Paul worked and taught in Boston for three years before moving to Montreal where he taught high school for three years. While in Montreal he started to collect Inuit art which has led to a large collection of prints and soapstone figures.

In 1962, he moved back to Boston to teach junior high school. During this period, he wrote a case study under a Harvard Business School professor which led to the Harvard-Newton Project in Business History and Economic Concepts. Paul was its first director. In 1970 he earned his doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He took a position in the D.C. Public Schools as Assistant Superintendent for Career Development Programs. He then worked for the Federal Government working first for the National Institute of Education which later folded into the Research Department of the U.S. Office of Education, from which he retired in 1986.

During these years in Washington, Paul met Ralph Miller, who became his life-partner of 35 years. They purchased a row house and other real estate projects in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington D.C. He was a dedicated parishioner of St. Albans serving on the flower guild, volunteering regularly at the “Opportunity Shop,” and serving on the vestry. He later established an endowment for the Adult Forum.

Paul and Ralph started vacationing at Chautauqua Institution in Western New York, in 1992, then purchased a house in 1995. After renovation they moved in permanently in 2004. Unfortunately, Ralph died of cancer shortly thereafter.

Paul and Ralph described Chautauqua as their “Brigadoon,” where they could be their authentic selves. They proudly hung the rainbow flag next to the American flag for all to see as they entered the Institution down the main promenade. As the first openly gay homeowners they made a statement by donating $100,000 to the Chautauqua Opera. Paul was also instrumental in establishing a weekly LGBTQ brown bag luncheon that remains strong today. He served on the boards of the Episcopal Cottage, the Chapel of the Good Shepard and the Bird Tree and Garden Club where his beautiful home appeared on the home and garden tour three times. During all waking hours he sat in his beautiful sunroom listening to his beloved WNED classical music. Paul loved all things Chautauqua and was a generous supporter of the Chautauqua County community.

Although Paul and Ralph did not have children, they created a beautiful lasting legacy at Chautauqua that generations will enjoy for years to come. Our Uncle Paul will be greatly missed.

A private family service will be held. Visitation will not be observed.

Donations may be made to the Chautauqua Opera Guild or Mayville Food Pantry.

To share a memory or a condolence, please visit www.lindfuneralhome.com.