Visiting Sunday November 26th 2-5pm at Scotto Funeral Home located at 106 1st Place Brooklyn NY 11231
Mass of Christian Burial Monday November 27th 9:30 am St Mary Star of the Sea RC Church
Burial to follow at Silver Mount Cemetery, Staten Island
Paul, a Brooklyn native, moved to the corner of Third and Smith Street at the age of four. He lived there for the rest of his life, except for his military service in the Korean War. A Jack of all trades, he did electrical and plumbing work, and, for several years, operated a grocery store. It became a gathering place for friends and neighbors to chat about sports, politics, and the meaning of life, and remained so even after the grocery business folded. Music poured out from the store during the Christmas season, helping to promote holiday cheer. Paul knew everyone on the block and his ubiquitous presence, along with his boxer Sparky, made the neighborhood a safer place. Matthew Sweeney’s article in The Brooklyn Paper (Dec. 17, 1999) celebrates Paul’s contributions to the neighborhood. He was someone who was always there for his friends and neighbors. He will be missed.
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Paul, a Brooklyn native, moved to the corner of Third and Smith Street at the age of four. He lived there for the rest of his life, except for his military service in the Korean War. A Jack of all trades, he did electrical and plumbing work, and, for several years, operated a grocery store. It became a gathering place for friends and neighbors to chat about sports, politics, and the meaning of life, and remained so even after the grocery business folded. Music poured out from the store during the Christmas season, helping to promote holiday cheer. Paul knew everyone on the block and his ubiquitous presence, along with his bulldog Sparky, made the neighborhood a safer place. Matthew Sweeney’s article in The Brooklyn Paper (Dec. 17, 1999) celebrates Paul’s contributions to the neighborhood. He was someone who was always there for his friends and neighbors. He will be missed.
Paul was a wonderful vivacious person who told exhilllerating and humorous stories about his childhood, the Korean war, and growing old in New York. Although his health was precarious in his later years, his positive attitude and outlook on life was inspiring and infectious. My friendship with Paul was brief but he will be remembered forever and I am grateful for the life lessons and perspective I gained from him.