With a very heavy heart, I am so sad that we lost Paul Caracciolo.Sad that he is gone but glad he is not in any more pain.    I will put the details for the funeral on here as soon as I get it.  Pinky and I had the opportunity to visit him last week.  He was ready, and he loved the Lord.   For sure he will be watching from heaven.  Hugs Love and prayers for Denise and his family. 

Paul and I have been friends since we were around 10.years old.    Have many special memoies with him  .  

Paul R. Caracciolo

December 28, 1942 ~ August 8, 2023 (age 80)

Obituary

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Paul Caracciolo

DECEMBER 28, 1942-AUGUST 8, 2023

Obituary

Paul R. Caracciolo, 80, Bellwood, passed at home surrounded by his loving family Tuesday evening. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Guiseppe and Anna Marie (Porzio) Caracciolo. He later married Denise Wesner.

Paul is survived by his loving wife; three daughters: Robin (Toby) Fortney, Rhonda (Gary) Angelo, and Paula (Randy) Rabish; a son, Paul (Barbara) Caracciolo II; 4 grandchildren: Tyler Fortney, P.R. (Allison) Caracciolo, Alison Caracciolo, and Lukas Caracciolo; a sister: Antoinette Miller; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Caracciolo.

He was preceded in death by two sisters: Mary Lou Procaccini and Josephine (Ronald) Rimpfel; two brothers: Gerald (Margie) Caracciolo and John Caracciolo; and brother in-law, Bob Miller.

Paul was a 1960 graduate of Altoona High School and attended Johnstown Barber School and Adele Alan Beauty School.

Paul was a well known hair stylist in Altoona for more than 35 years. He opened first as a barber shop on Lloyd St. of Altoona, but he had visions that superseded the A-typical Barber Shop. In 1972, he opened “Styles by Paul,” a salon that was ahead of its time. It backed away from the typical barber shop. It introduced individual booths for a more private experience. Appointments were taken by a receptionist, as well as, an assistant for the ultimate shampoo.

He helped transition his male clientele from dry cut barbering to having a shampoo and modern hairstyle. His female clientele grew rapidly as he transitioned them from the old “beauty shop” weekly wash and set that hid bad perms and cuts to hair styles they could maintain themselves at home. He was truly an artist in his trade and his business evolved over the years. He was loved by his clientele for his laughter, his smile, and most of all, his charisma. Paul’s salon still runs today under the ownership of his daughter, Paula. His daughter Robin has “Robin Fortney’s Styling Nest” in Bellwood.

As much as Paul is known as a hairstylist, his first love was entertaining and music. His start was at a young age with the “Ollie Grassi Stars of Tomorrow.” With maracas and full regalia, he danced a Latino salsa.

Paul attended St. Mark’s and it was there that he had a nun that encouraged him to sing. Bribing him with a homemade chocolate cake, he went classroom to classroom and sang for her.

The 50’s were a time of putting together teenage bands, so of course he needed to play the guitar. Money was tight, but with a few lessons, he grasped the guitar and at age 13, put his first garage band together. From there, Paul had many bands including “Paul and the HiFi’s.” They were the back up band for many a star that came to Altoona to perform. There was also the “Dreamliners” and the “Stereos,” to name a few. One of his bands included a sax player. When the sax player left the band, it left Paul wanting to replace him. It was then that he decided to learn with a borrowed school sax, no lessons and playing by ear.

He changed instruments from guitar to sax. He would be the first to tell you that it sounded pretty rough at first, but as with everything he did, he became a pretty good saxophone player. It became the instrument most would remember him for.

Paul played in many bands, including “The Ron Sassano Trio” and “Prime Time Band.” There are too many to list, but he shared a lifetime of music with so many talented musicians from Altoona in an era that appreciated live music. As era of sock hops, community center dances, “The Bandstand,” and clubs that always had live music.

Paul also loved sports and played football and baseball in his youth. His fondest memories were of his buddies and the rivalries between Roosevelt and Keith football. He loved to tell the story of when he ran a winning touchdown while suffering a concussion. Stories of “no hitters” and coming up throwing with or without the ball. Along with crazy nicknames such as, “Crazy legs.”

Paul also picked up the game of golf and it too became his passion. From winning and placing in many tournaments, and having 3 hole-in-ones.

He loved woodworking and carpentry. He would spend hours in his work shop building furniture. He enjoyed Rv-ing and snow birding in Florida. In later years, he even took up oil painting.

But of all his many accomplishments, he took the most pride in his family. His children meant the world to him. He adored his grandchildren and he loved sharing his knowledge with them. He supported their sports, music, and life ambitions. He was a very proud Dad and Pap.

Paul was a former member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church.

Friends will be received from 2pm to 8pm Friday, Aug. 11, 2023 at the Santella Funeral Home, where a vigil for the deceased will be held. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Committal will be held at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Paul to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paul R. Caracciolo, please visit our floral store.

Services

VISITATION

Friday
August 11, 2023
2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Santella Funeral Home
1106-8th Ave
Altoona, PA 16602

FUNERAL MASS

Saturday
August 12, 2023
11:00 AM
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church