Obituary of Paul Maurice Couzyn

Paul Couzyn, 72, passed away surrounded by family on November 25, after a brief illness due to soft tissue sarcoma, a rare form of aggressive cancer, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York City. As was his wish, Paul was cremated and his remains will be scattered in Central Park across the street from  the American Museum Of Natural History, where as a child he spent time with his father who worked there as a sculptor.

A long-time resident of Greenwich Village, Paul was an artist/activist whose work, often displayed on the window of his ground-level apartment, spoke to racial equality and social justice, and the need for kindness and light in the world. In total he displayed at least 25 windows boldly capturing the ideology of current peacemakers.

On any given day one could hear the sounds of Jazz music emanating from his apartment. He loved his first floor apartment where the windows opened onto lively Grove Street. Many passersby would comment on his windows and engage in conversation. A tribute to Paul can be found on facebook from a neighborhood political group.

Paul started his career as a silversmith making delicate pieces of jewelry and his attention to detail was seen in his work as a contractor specializing in fine carpentry and interiors. His work can be found all over Manhattan and was featured in Architectural Digest. He made friends with his crew and his clients alike.

Paul attended Lycée Français in New York City and Windsor Mountain High School in Lenox, Massachusetts. An older student, at age 34 he returned to school and earned a bachelor's degree in theater from UMass Amherst in 1991 and a master’s degree in acting from Rutgers University 1994. His sharp wit and brilliant mind could make anyone laugh. After a brief stint in professional theatre he decided to return to working with his hands as he sorely missed creating works of art.

Paul was born on August 20, 1953, at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, to the late Seymour and Juliette Eychene Couzyn, and leaves a son, granddaughter, sister, brother-in-law, niece, an amazing cat as well as extended family in Montreal and Holland, and many, many friends, all of whom will miss him and will forever treasure his memory. His "found" family on Grove Street and other close friends' devotion to Paul helped him cope through his illness. In his last days he would often state how lucky he was to have so many friends. The family is indebted to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital for their compassionate care and to these special friends for their extraordinary generosity of place and heart.

A memorial service for Paul will be held in the spring. Donations in Paul's name can be given at that time to his preferred cause.