Family donates $50,000 for new trail in honor of son who died in kayaking accident
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The following is a news release from the Portneuf Greenway Foundation.
POCATELLO — The Board of Directors for the Portneuf Greenway Foundation is pleased to announce a generous $50,000 donation from Andrzej and Teresa Abraszewksi, the parents of the late Dr. Pawel ‘Paul’ Abraszewski.
The gift will be used to connect the Simplot/Swanson and Abraszewski trails to the Pacific Recycling Trailhead, Sacajawea Park and Historic Downtown Pocatello.
“We are incredibly grateful for the Abraszewski family’s continued support and philanthropy,” said Dan Harelson, president of the Portneuf Greenway Foundation’s board of directors. “Their gift will beautify and enhance our community, while creating more opportunities for people to connect with the outdoors and enjoy this beautiful place we are lucky to call home.”
The gift marks the second major donation from the Abraszewski family. Lee Abraszewski, Paul’s wife, and Andrzej raised and donated $45,000 to build the existing Abraszewski trail, which is located on Pocatello’s west side and runs along the Portneuf River.
Andrzej said he and his wife wanted to do something to give back to his late son’s adopted hometown of Pocatello. Paul, who was a local cardiologist, passed away in a tragic kayaking accident in 2007.
Paul knew that nature is a necessary ingredient to living life fully and joyfully, Andrzej said. He and Teresa hope their gift will help provide that same joy to all who recreate on Greenway trails.
Born in Warsaw, Poland, Paul came to the United States in 1991 and attended medical school before joining the Pocatello Cardiology Associates in 2004.
“Dr. Abraszewski coming to Pocatello was a miracle of sorts,” said Ben Call, a cardiologist at Portneuf Medical Center and former colleague of Paul’s. “Born in Poland and trained at the finest institutions in the United States, we were so blessed to have him choose to make his home in Pocatello. He loved his patients, he loved the people he worked with, and he loved caring for their hearts.”
Dr. Call also recalled Paul’s love of the outdoors, his kindness and generosity, and the greatness of his spirit.
“He also had a great love for his parents, whose kind and generous gift is now a blessing to us all,” Dr. Call said.
Ken Ryan, a retired doctor and friend of Paul’s, remembered him as “a thoroughly nice guy.”
“Paul was an excellent doctor and was always kind to the people he worked with and to the patients that he took care of,” Dr. Ryan said. “He had a busy, often stressful job but never lost his cool with others.”
Dr. Ryan and Paul also shared a love for whitewater kayaking and went on several trips together. Dr. Ryan described him as a good athlete and expert kayaker.
“He seemed to really enjoy being in the outdoors and, I think, had found in Idaho a home that he really enjoyed,” Dr. Ryan said.
Lee added that her late husband “taught me to live life to its fullest and make every day count.”
Initial plans for the new trail are being developed and further information and details regarding groundbreaking and completion will be released at a later date. For more information, please email us at portneufgreenwayfoundation@gmail.com.