Since 2011 (and previously from 1988-1991) Newporters have remarked on the familiar sight of Niall in his wheelchair rolling along the streets of Newport in all-weather on his daily outings. Bellevue Ave, Spring St, Mary St, America’s Cup, and Broadway were his most travelled paths but every street was fair game – a route to a destination or one curiously explored for its history, architecture, beauty and general interest. Many spontaneous discussions with fellow travelers along the way resulted in new acquaintances, associations and the delight of discovery. So many people commented that they’d seen or spoken with this pleasant Englishman over the years and admired his strength, ability, determination and enthusiasm. Newport affectionately captured his imagination and became his home.
On February 23rd, the morning of the Blizzard of 2026, valiantly fighting his last battle, Paul Niall Megson Tarrell, age 71 of Oxford, England and Newport, RI passed away after a brief illness in the presence and love of his wife and best friend, Sharyn.
Born in Oxford, England on October 2, 1954, Niall, as he chose to be called after trying out all of his names, was the youngest of five sons of Mary Harrison and Kenneth Tarrell. His parents met while in South Africa as a result of World War II. Mary had been sent as a specialist in physical education to work with women in South Africa and Kenneth, a British officer, was recovering from losing his leg after being hit by shrapnel from a German Bomb in North Africa. Niall’s three older brothers were born there, and one other brother died before birth.
Niall attended various schools throughout Oxfordshire, UK. During school vacations he assisted his mother and older bothers coaching swimming and tennis privately in the Cotswolds, England. He attended Witney College of Further Education, graduating with a diploma in accountancy and A levels in business, law, economics and political science. He worked during university as a waiter in a gourmet restaurant in Oxford, where his love of food and wine developed.
His career in the UK began briefly working in accounting before and after the accident that left him paralyzed. He then worked as an assistant to an antique furniture restorer where he further developed an appreciation for fine furniture. He took young disabled people on holidays to France, taught sailing to disabled students, became a trustee for the Jubilee Sailing Trust, and started his own business (Access Unlimited) in 1995 where he served as an access consultant advising various businesses and organizations (department of health, post office, hotel chains, theaters, resorts, banks, etc.) in the UK on ways to see and improve access for persons of all abilities and as an access trainer for architects, surveyors, facility managers and designers. He consulted on various accessibility projects in the UK; the Royal College of Art, and Facility Management Forums as a public speaker and published articles on accessibility. He co-authored a European Union report on employment and transportation of disabled people in a maritime environment.
While living in Newport, RI 1988-1991 he taught sailing for Shake a Leg (now Sail to Prevail) and from 2011, consulted on various accessibility projects in Newport and Boston including the City of Newport, the Washington Square Advisory Commission, the Oliver Hazard Perry Tall Ship and was a member of the Historic Lighting Committee. His love of books and libraries resulted in volunteering and working for many years at the Redwood Library where he researched books for their history and value. He also enjoyed assisting with antique fairs and estate sales.
Niall led a full, vibrant, diverse, communicative and spirited life, filled with many interests and countless adventures: farming, sailing, tall ship sailing, travelling, wine and food pairing, cooking, antiques, art, books, history, reading, politics, current events, writing, theater, acting and singing in amateur dramatics and dancing do not cover the extent of his intellect and ability. He was honorarily inducted as a member into the Seneca Wolf Clan tribe. He was the true Renaissance Man
Yet, far too many times in his life he was presented with unexpected fateful challenges which were undertaken with heroic strength, determination, remarkable courage and perpetual resilience. From infancy when family circumstances necessitated, he was fostered to a loving couple. When his birth family’s situation changed, at age 5, he was unexpectedly and traumatically returned to live with his parents and 3 brothers, remaining a loving and devoted son to his foster and birth parents throughout their lives. He suffered severe burns as a result of a cooking accident to his arm at age 7 leaving him with delayed growth and lifelong scars. Tragedy struck again at age 11 when his eldest brother Iain was killed by a freak wave while rock climbing off the coast of Dorset in the south of England. In 1975 at the age of 21 he was left paralyzed and a full time wheelchair user as a passenger in a car accident; his mother, who was driving, was killed.
While recovering from the car accident he spent a year at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckingham, UK. On the day he was discharged he had acquired a car with hand controls, put his wheelchair onto the back seat and drove himself home from the hospital.
Shortly after becoming wheelchair bound, Niall was introduced to the Jubilee Sailing Trust, a UK based charity founded in 1978 that promoted tall ship sailing adventures to people of all ages, backgrounds and enabled both disabled and able bodied crew to sail together. He began sailing voyages on the “Lord Nelson” (179 feet long), launched in 1986, the only wheelchair accessible tall ship in the world. His loved tall ship sailing and went on as many voyages as possible sailing all over Europe. He became a watch leader, eventually earning an Offshore Yachtmaster Certificate having logged 2500 miles at sea. He sailed aboard in US waters during the 2000 Tall Ships Race. He was invited to become a Trustee of the charity and served in the position until 2023. During this time he consulted on the building of “Tenacious” which, at 213 feet, was the second tall ship in the world that was fully wheelchair accessible.
His work as a trustee brought him across the sea to Newport, RI in 1988, where he met his wife, Sharyn Singer. They married in 1989 – a joyful union filled with love, adventures, beautiful memories and lots of dancing. In 1991 they moved from Newport to England and for the next 20 years built a life in the Cotswolds, frequently visiting Cornwall for a ‘hit’ of the sea before returning to Newport in 2011 part time, and full time from 2015 where they built a new life filled with family, friends and new adventures.
Niall is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sharyn, his brothers Jaimie Tarrell (partner Stephanie), Malcolm Tarrell (wife Suzanne), foster sister Valerie Wells, soul brother and sister Tom and Megan Mays, nephews Thomas, Jack and Krzysztof Tarrell, niece Maia Tarrell, god daughter Jane Wells, sisters and brothers in law, grand nephews and niece, many cousins in law and beloved friends.
There will be two Celebrations of Niall’s Life. The first will be on Saturday April 18, 2026 from 1-4pm at the Seamen’s Institute in Newport, RI, followed by one this May in the Cotswolds, England. To honor his memory, the “Niall Tarrell Access Unlimited Fund” has been established to develop an accessible project in Newport. Donations are welcome, please email nialltarrell.accessfund@gmail.com for information.