Paul DiPetrillo

Paul P. DiPetrillo, 87 of Wayne, died suddenly on Thursday, July 2, 2020.  He has lived in Wayne since 2003, and had lived in Mahwah and Oakland prior.

Paul had been an Air Traffic Controller his entire career, first in the U.S. Air Force, then at LaGuardia Airport, JFK Airport, and he retired from TRACON on Long Island.  He had an incredible work ethic and during the famous ‘air traffic controller strike’ of the 1980’s, Paul worked so much overtime at TRACON that he was able to retire almost four years earlier than anticipated!  

Paul grew up in Palisades Park, NJ and graduated from Leonia High Scholl with the class of 1950.  He was a good kid who kept out of trouble, for the most part.  He liked playing hooky from school and almost got caught once when he saw his father approaching the luncheonette where he was hanging out with his pals.  Paul’s friends ran off while he ducked behind the service counter and hid until his father finished having lunch!  Later on, as a teenager, he worked for his dad doing landscaping and also worked at the La France Dye house in Paterson.  After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served until 1955, spending part of that time in Korea.  It was in the Air Force that Paul learned to be an air traffic controller and after being discharged in 1955, he embarked on a lifelong career as such.  He was also active in the VFW, belonging to the Franklin Lakes post, and later to the Glen Rock post.

Paul was a generous man, always willing to lend a helping hand, and a true gentleman. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, devoted to his family.  Years ago, he was a basketball coach with the CYO and an active member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oakland.  His children have many fond memories of those years, as well as many other area kids who were on his team.  Paul was always anxious to spend time with his grandchildren, and enjoyed frequent family gatherings.  He was affectionately called “Poppy” by his grandchildren, and he loved to be with them every chance he got!  Poppy had an expert ability to fall asleep at the drop of a hat, so he wasn’t always the best babysitter or driving instructor, but he was certainly happy to be with them.

Paul had lived in Oakland, NJ for many years, and raised his family there.  Sadly, Paul lost his first wife Joan in 1992.  A few years later, he mustered the courage to ask Janet Horan, who he knew from church, out on a date.  They went to the opera together, and the date went very well, even though Paul fell asleep!  Janet enjoyed that he was a good dancer, a great conversationalist, and a perfect gentleman.  He had a big heart and took great care of her.  Both of their families were enthusiastic when they married on January 14, 1995, and they quickly became one big family.  Paul and Janet have traveled extensively, including to Ireland, England, Italy, Hawaii, Costa Rica, and many more exciting destinations.  Paul especially loved visiting Ocean Beach Shores at the Jersey Shore.  He was truly a “beach guy” and loved floating in the ocean there.  In their twenty five years of marriage, Janet can’t recall a single time that Paul said “no” to her.  They loved each other very much, and she will miss him dearly.

Paul is survived by his loving wife Janet (nee Cappock) of Wayne, five children; Stephen DiPetrillo and his wife Simone of Oakland, Dianne Martello and her husband Dr. Robert of Mt. Dora, FL, Michael DiPetrillo of Oakland, Patricia Capitelli of Totowa, Thomas Horan and his wife Patty of W. Milford, nine grandchildren; Craig, Megan, Sean and Brendan Capitelli, Emily and Andrew Martello, Corrigan and Cameron Horan, and Liam DiPetrillo, one sister; Edith Loehing and her husband Richard of E. Hanover, and one brother; James DiPetrillo of E. Brunswick.  Paul was predeceased by his first wife Joan in 1992, and by his sister Jeanne Barone in 2017.

Those wishing to make a donation in Paul’s memory are asked to please consider his parish; Annunciation RC Church, 45 Urban Club Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470.