Paul DeSavino
Paul DeSavino born Christmas Day 1929 in Jersey City, was raised in North Bergen across from Hudson County Park, where along with his three younger brothers, Howard, Franklin, and Ronald, and their dog “Lucky,” they took full advantage of it almost every day. Paul attended Union Hill High School, was a varsity baseball and basketball player, and was voted Most Popular and Class Comedian. He received a standing ovation at graduation. He married Patricia Thorne with whom he had three sons, Thomas, David, and John. He joined the Hudson County Stage Hands Union, Local 59, and later joined his dad, who was the head stagehand at the Hudson Burlesque Theater in Union City. He loved the comedians and their families, and they loved him, even putting him on stage in skits. During the Korean War, he was drafted into the Army and served in Germany. After an honorable discharge Paul began working for the City Center Opera and Ballet Companies. Here he met and married the love of his life, the beautiful ballet dancer, Marlene Mesavage with whom he had two children, Christine and Paul Michael. The world opened up for him in 1965 when he got his union card to Local One - IATSE and began working at Lincoln Center and all over Broadway. In 1969, he became head stage hand at Madison Square Garden where he worked for 25 years. He headed spectacular productions in music and entertainment, the Democratic Convention, Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus, and the Ice Capades, meeting everyone from the Pope to Tiny Tim. He received high praise for the success of many events but always accredited this success to his outstanding crew. He retired in 1995. At home, Paul loved playing guitar and singing with his children who harmonized or accompanied him on the ukulele. A lover of sports, he organized many family games of soft ball and running bases. And when he became a proud grandfather, he loved cheering on his grandkids in basketball, baseball, as well as academic endeavors. Since 1974, his LBI home was his oasis which brought wonderful family memories as well as dear friendships. Throughout the years, at both work and play, Paul’s love of life was infectious, his knack for story-telling captivating, and even at 94 was the quickest wit in the room. Paul leaves behind beloved wife, Marlene, children Thomas (Robin), David, Christine (David), and Paul Michael, and grandchildren David Jr., Matthew, Aidan, and Tristan. Visitation to be held on Monday, February
12th 10am-1pm with a Celebration of Life at 1pm at Becker Funeral Home,
219 Kinderkamack Rd, Westwood, NJ Becker-FuneralHome.Com