Paul Schiavoni, 74
Paul Schiavoni, a member of a large Sag Harbor family and a former member of the Sag Harbor School Board, died at his home on North Haven on June 26. A painting and wallpaper contractor who retired two years ago, he had A.L.S., a neurodegenerative condition known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, for three years. He was 74.
He was born on Feb. 2, 1940, to Teresa Rozzi Schiavoni and Vincent Schiavoni, who died when he was an infant. His mother, widowed at 27, raised him and his brothers, Jim and Bob, on Howard Street in Sag Harbor Village. He was a 1957 graduate of Pierson High School in Sag Harbor and, as a member of the school board, on which he served in the 1970s and ’80s, was proud of helping its renovation become a reality. He spent four years in the Navy after high school, returning home to become active in the community. He was a Sag Harbor Fire Department volunteer for 20 years and an honorary member of the department for another 20.
He and Linda Matles Schiavoni, who were married for 50 years last September, knew each other from the time they were children. They moved to North Haven 47 years ago.
“His family was his whole life,” Mrs. Schiavoni said. His grandsons “were the light of his life, and he was always involved with so many of their activities,” his family said. He loved all sports, favored the New York Mets and Giants, and always liked to talk sports. He also loved to crab, clam, and golf.
In addition to his wife and grandchildren, Mr. Schiavoni is survived by two children, Robin Schiavoni of Sag Harbor and Gregg Schiavoni of North Haven. His brothers died before him.
A Mass was celebrated for Mr. Schiavoni on Tuesday at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Sag Harbor. Donations in his memory have been suggested to the A.L.S. Association of Greater New York, 42 Broadway #1724, New York 10004, East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach 11978, the Sag Harbor Fire Department, P.O. Box 209, Sag Harbor 11963, or the Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 2725, also Sag Harbor 11963.