Paul Spina

PAUL J. SPINA age 79, beloved life partner for 36 years of Esther Trepal; loving father of Paola Spina and Vanessa Spina; cherished son of the late Nunzie and Madeline (nee DePaola); dearest brother of Catherine Rueck (husband Herb, deceased); dear uncle of Madelyn Cousins, Robert Cousins (wife Imelda), and Stephanie Kontos; treasured nephew of Rose Currier; Esther’s devoted siblings Marge Trepal, Dee Trepal, Ralph Trepal (wife Barb), Sue Hahn (husband Jim), Joe Trepal (wife Mary), Chuck Trepal (wife Mikki); loyal cousin and friend to many.

Paul was born on October 9, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York and passed away on June 20, 2017. A lifelong resident of New York City, Paul recently moved to Willowick with Esther, his beloved life partner of 36 years. He graduated from the Pratt Institute of Art in Brooklyn, and from 1980 to 2010 he was a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. He was one of the first inhabitants of the artistic community in SoHo in the 1960s and 1970s. Always energetic, Paul started every morning going out for coffee and a roll, dressed in a shirt, tie, and jeans, he spent hours walking and exploring the streets of New York City. He loved pizza and knew the best places all over town. He enjoyed fly fishing for Long Island snappers in the great South Bay, Good & Plenty candy, and listening to eclectic music. He treasured his daughters Paola and Vanessa. Paul was a talented, creative, and intuitive character who had his own way of seeing the world. He will be dearly missed. For examples of Paul’s artistry, go to PaulSpinaArt.com

All services private. Cremation by DeJohn Crematory. Arrangements by THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS.