Television distributor Paul Black died March 8 after a battle with cancer, at the age of 56. Black was the head of Focus Worldwide, his own distribution and acquisition company, based out of Calgary. The company specialized in lifestyle programming for the international marketplace.

Black was highly respected in the production and distribution community and known for his exuberance and humor. During his cross-Canada career, Black worked for International Image (subsequently purchased by Sonic Foundry) in Don Mills, ON, before joining Great North Productions in Edmonton. His career then took him to Regina and Minds Eye International, the distribution branch of Minds Eye Entertainment, where he was managing director until 2003.

"He was always cheerful, a great conversationalist," recalls Minds Eye head Kevin DeWalt. "He was a great closer, and just a great guy overall."

Black subsequently started Focus in Regina, and then took the business to Calgary. Business began to trail off when he became ill.

Rita Carbone Fleury, a friend since the International Image days, recalls, "He was full of life and humor. Producers liked him because he was a straight shooter and he never beat around the bush. He told it like it is."

Black is survived by his wife Pearl, and his children Ryan, Ashlee and Andrew. His ashes will be buried at a private ceremony on April 10, his birthday, in Collingwood, ON, where his mother lives.