Obituary: Wells Weston Paul

Wells Weston Paul was born May 6, 2025, and unexpectedly passed away in his sleep on Sept. 26, 2025.

Wells was a happy baby boy who was full of smiles and loved to wiggle and squirm. He was starting to giggle, coo, laugh, and come into his own personality. Just two days before his passing he cut his first tooth and cut his second the day before he passed. His life was so promising, his happiness inspiring, and his presence was a gift.

Wells Weston Paul.

Even though Wells was a little baby boy, he proudly shared his impressive man farts from day one. They were described as being able to “peel the paint off of the walls,” and that was accurate – they were unreal, but he’d let 'em rip with a smile on his face, happy as could be. We never thought we would miss the effort those farts took and the stench that resulted, but we miss it so much. During his almost five months on this Earth, he lit up every room with his big cheeks, smiles, and easy-going attitude. He went on many adventures in the boat, caught fish, ran rivers, flew in planes, visited three states, loved cabin life, and was happy during any outing. He was his parents’ copilot on many occasions, keeping an eye on things for us.

Wells met and loved so many people; he rarely rejected a snuggle. His requirements were that each snuggle came with comfort and a view. If those weren’t provided, he would squirm until they were!

Several nights after his passing, Wells’ daddy and two of his uncles were at our cabin to retrieve our boat. While making a late dinner, the generator turned off, briefly fluttered back on and then quit altogether. They all thought it must have run out of gas, so they went outside and were greeted by the brightest, greenest northern lights dancing across the clear night sky, something they certainly would have missed if the generator hadn’t quit.

They watched the show in awe, reminded of Wells’ wiggles and squirms and firmly believing it was him saying hi. When the lights dissipated, they discovered the generator was full of gas and started right back up. There was no reason the generator should have quit; we know that was Wellsy inviting them to his show. A few days later, his final viewing was held on a rainy, blustery Juneau day. Torrential rain began right before the viewing, filling the building with the sounds of heavy rain on the roof, his daddy’s favorite kind of rain. When we held him for the last time we told him we knew he was in the sky, and we would look for him in the northern lights and rainbows. At that exact moment, the rain stopped, and a vibrant rainbow appeared; everyone there knew it was him. We are so thankful for these signs from him, and we will forever look for them.

Wells’ life meant so much to us and to everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. He didn’t know anything but innocence, love, and happiness, and we are so grateful that was his reality. We will cherish our short time with our Wellsy forever, we will never forget him, and we will always celebrate his life with every breath. His big brother, Bruer, is filling our days with his silliness and laughter but is missing his “baby brother Wellsy” immensely – a pain and grief no toddler should have to experience.

Wells is survived by his loving parents, Kaia (Rongstad) and Garrett Paul, and the best big brother ever, Bruer Paul; his Nanas and Papas Robin and Gary Paul and Nancy and Noel Shima; Aunts and Uncles Leah Jellison and Amund Rongstad, Sonja and Carson Paul, Jessica and Austin Paul, Sarah Christianson and Wes Tanner, and Jacob Calvin; cousins Henry and Mason Paul and Addy, Rylee and Beckett Paul; Great Aunts and Uncles Cherie and Ken Rudolph, Janet and Greg Dukes, Vickie and Vic Baer, Lynda and Jim Johnson, Susan Herdman, Diana and Dave Weston, Cheryl and Delmer Weston, Leslie Weston, Chris and Frank Rupert, and Elaine Clark; his beloved daycare provider Edie McLure; and many extended family members, friends, Taku River Rats and daycare buddies. Wells is preceded in death by his Papa Alver Rongstad. 

The outpouring of love, hugs, sympathy, and generosity from friends and family has been so heartfelt. We’re extremely lucky to have such a great support network. If you see us around, please don’t shy away. We would love to talk about him and make sure he’s remembered. He was the best and we don’t want him to be forgotten. We’re trying to remember what was instead of dwelling on what could have been.

Wells Weston Paul, you are so loved and missed by all of us. We’ll look for you in the sky, beautiful boy, until we get to see you again. And as Bruer says, “You’re in our hearts, in our minds, and in the clouds!” You will forever be our Wellsy. We love you, always and forever.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 19, from 12–2 p.m. at Devil’s Club Brewing at 345 Front St.

In Wells’ honor, we ask that donations be made to Cure for Cade (www.cureforcade.com) or the Robert’s Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, the world leader in SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) research and support (https://www.childrenshospital.org/services/roberts-program).