Paul Eric Fortoul was born in New York City on April 20, 1958. He grew up in Washington Heights where he lived most of his life. His intelligence was evident at a young age. He excelled in math and science with a particular interest in computers and astronomy. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and was on the school's math team and was a member of New York City's Math Team participating in regional competitions. Paul attended the City College of New York (CCNY), majoring in Computer Science. He worked for many years at CCNY's computer center starting as a student volunteer and later became a lead systems programmer. He was active in IBM's VM operating system community.
At CCNY, he joined the swim team that led to his lifelong involvement in many aspects of swimming. His most significant role was as a swim coach of age group, high school and masters swimmers. His involvement in swimming also included competing in distance freestyle and butterfly events, teaching children, running swim meets (including timing system setup and administration), officiating at meets and actively participating in local and national organizations. He was co-meet director of swimming at the 1994 Gay Games in New York. Most recently, he was swim coach at Fieldston High School and a masters swim coach at Asphalt Green.
Besides his passions for swimming and computers, he avidly followed politics and current events. He loved to read; Isaac Asimov was a favorite author. He also enjoyed vacationing at Lake George with family and relished his role as an uncle to Jamie (age 11) and Nora (age 9).
Paul died on December 8, 2007, from an aggressive type of kidney cancer that had already metastasized when it was first diagnosed in September. He is survived by his parents, Selma and Jose Fortoul, his sister Karen Fortoul, sister-in-law Kate Goodale, nephew Jamie Fortoul, niece Nora Fortoul, as well as cousins, an aunt and an uncle.