You made me Queen for a Day, thank you Paul R. L'Ecuyer

We’re so glad we had a chance to experience the Drawbridge Puppet Theater and the magic that Paul L’Ecuyer and company brought to the stage. Our family was last at the theater in February and our daughter Delia was made Queen for a Day. That day our daughter not only got to be royalty, but we were able to see Sleeping Beauty and my daughter purchased a special puppet, which one of the attendants showed her how to use before helping her put it away carefully so it wouldn’t break. Thank you for allowing us to have these wonderful memories, Paul and for the wonderful memories you’ve given to so many.  - Dave, Deena and Delia Wood of Fitchburg

By Assistant Editor Lindsay Sauvageau

Earlier this year I was visiting with my 8-year-old niece (seen in photo above) and she was sitting on my lap, talking a mile a minute about an adventure she had right here in Lunenburg. It seems, as a treat, she visited The Drawbridge Puppet Theater to see Sleeping Beauty performed with marionettes.

    She told me all about Briar Rose, the jealous fairy that cursed her to sleep until a handsome prince could come and wake her with a kiss. She then told me how there was a special raffle to see which little boy and girl in the audience would be made King and Queen for the day. Delia’s eyes got very big and her hands went up in the air when she told me she had been chosen as Queen.

    When all was said and done, I asked her what she thought of the whole experience. She said to me, very simply, “It was amazing.”

    Paul L’Ecuyer, you were, and will forever be, simply amazing.

    The memories you gave my niece are just a handful of the amazing, imaginative and inspiring memories you have given to so many over a lifetime of doing what you loved to do, making people smile.

    When we announced our condolences for your passing on our Facebook page last week, so many of our readers and followers shared their thoughts with us. We had comments like, “My two boys loved to go there. They will miss it” to “So sad! He made many children smile...”. One comment spoke sentiments for everyone who graduated with you in the Lunenburg High School Class of 1977, “Everyone in the Class of "77 from LHS knew back in high school that Paul had an incredible artistic talent. I know many family [members] and friends are grieving for him now but hopefully wonderful memories will eventually turn their tears into smiles of comfort. My biggest regret is not being able to bring my grandchildren to see him perform. Rest in Peace Paul and know how much joy you brought to so many!”

    That is your legacy Paul, joy. Whether it was at the Puppet Theater, or in your earlier years, as an artistic director at Whalom Park, with your hand-puppet shows for  "Kiddieland" and the "Starshine Marionette" show where celebrity look-a-like puppets performed their hit songs.

    You brought joy to your peers, to the community, to everyone you met. I had the honor of meeting you in person when I wrote about the puppet theater in a friendly suggestion column. You were kind and helpful and full of laughter.  You told me your work was your passion, because your passion was in art, in design, in creation and, most importantly, in making people happy.

    You never failed in that endeavor.  In 2010, the Puppet Theater was named in the top 1,000 places to visit in the state by the Massachusetts 1,000 Great Places Commission. When we sent a reporter to speak with you about this news, you talked about your work and lit up,  “I am a creative person. I like doing artwork and creating the puppets. It is not just one facet of art, including the painting of scenery as far as the puppets are concerned. When making marionettes, it goes a little further. It is all the facets of my interests.”

    When we talked to you a year later about whether the economy had affected business, you said, “People don’t deny things for their children. …Parents need to escape and hear kids laugh, to smile. It can be the best medicine.”

    In your passing, Paul, as so many of us, that have been inspired by you are feeling loss and the sadness, we should also be smiling, because we were lucky enough to share your joy, to share your dreams and to know your dedication.

    Your memory and your legacy will live on, in all of us. You amazed us at every turn. You are, amazing.