Funny, hard-working, dedicated dad Paul Mulvey loved life.
He was devoted to his family, including his wife Giovanna Pacitti, daughter Francesca, 24 and son Danny, 15, and adored his job.
“He was a car salesman for Arnold Clark, had been for more than 30 years, and he just loved it,” says Giovanna, smiling.
“We met at Trash nightclub, many years ago, and he was funny and a bit wild when he was young. But as he grew up, he loved his job and his kids were the apple of his eye.”
Giovanna, who manages children’s care homes, adds: “And he also loved Enzo, our cockapoo – people said they had never seen Paul smile as much as he did around Enzo.”
The family, who live in Crookston on the Southside of Glasgow, found their world turned upside down overnight when Paul was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer.
He sadly died in March, aged just 52, and Giovanna is sharing their story to support the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice as it launches its 2026 Light Up A Life appeal.
The family will attend the annual Light Up a Life carol concert, which takes place at St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow on December 13 at 3pm.
The Glasgow Times will publish the names of all who have donated to the appeal in a special feature. For more information visit the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice website.
“Paul had a small lump on his neck, and he kept saying he needed to blow his nose,” says Giovanna, softly. “The doctor sent him to the dentist who sent him to the optician who sent him to ENT … there was a lot of toing and froing.
“Eventually he was sent to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and I got a call from him, asking me to come and pick him up because he had been told he could not drive.”
Giovanna adds: “We couldn’t understand what was going on. I went to the hospital, and got the biggest shock, when we were told Paul had stage four terminal cancer.”
The cancer in the nasal cavity was rare, and aggressive. It quickly spread to Paul’s brain and spine. As he went through treatment at the Beatson Cancer Care Centre, Giovanna never left his side, sleeping on a couch in the centre every night.
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“Chemotherapy worked well, the tumour shrank, but then it came back with a vengeance,” says Giovanna. “Everything was chaotic, everything changed. We were overwhelmed by what lay ahead.
“But then we came here, and immediately felt the difference.”
In the peaceful gardens of the hospice in Bellahouston Park, Giovanna’s grief is obvious, but she is determined to share Paul’s story.
“I want to help other families like ours,” she says, simply. “When we first heard about the hospice, we didn't know what to expect. But from the moment we arrived, the care was exceptional.
“The nurses and doctors are experts in end-of-life care, and incredibly compassionate. Paul was in severe pain and discomfort when he arrived, yet they immediately knew how to help him feel calm, comfortable and cared for.”
Giovanna adds: “The small, thoughtful touches that made such a difficult time a little easier meant so much to us.
“On Paul's final night, his parents, our son and daughter and I were all able to stay with him.”
She pauses. “We were given precious time together as a family, and those moments will stay with me forever.”
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