Paul Byrne Abe, 77, passed away on February 6, 2019. Paul, a Japanese American, spent the first few years of his life in the Jerome Relocation Center during World War II. The family was sponsored out and relocated to Pueblo and then moved to Sterling, CO where he spent his adolescent years. He earned his Bachelor's in Theatre from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley and a Masters in Technical Theatre from Purdue University, Lafayette. Upon earning his Masters, Paul was a faculty member at various colleges teaching lighting design and technical theatre but found his true calling and passion directing the opening and renovations of convention centers, performing arts theatres, and arenas. Some of the many buildings he managed included the Farmington Civic Center in New Mexico, Lima Civic and Convention Center in Ohio, and the OnCenter in Syracuse, New York. He later settled in Tempe and worked at ASU’s Gammage Theater as rental coordinator. Paul was preceded in death by a brother. He leaves behind his wife, Diane, two daughters, two granddaughters and other relatives. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, February 23rd at 2 pm at ASU's Karsten Golf Course, 1125 East Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 with a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Arizona Humane Society .