Paul Lentine

Paul W. Lentine, age 94, of Woodland Park, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 17, 2022.

Paul was born in Newark, the youngest of Russel and Carmela Lentine’s three children. He grew up in Nutley and attended Nutley High School where he graduated with the Class of 1945.

Paul’s desire to serve in the United States military was so great that he tried to enlist in the U.S. Army before he was of legal age. He reported for training camp and managed to be there for six weeks before it was discovered that he was not yet eighteen years old. They sent him home but undeterred, he waited until he turned eighteen and promptly enlisted again. Stationed in Germany, Paul proudly served his country during the liberation of the concentration camp prisoners after World War II.

Upon being honorably discharged from military service, Paul attended Stevens Institute of Technology and earned his Bachelor’s degree in engineering. He started with Kidde Fire Safety Products, and eventually settled into a long and rewarding career with McDonnell Douglas. As an industrial engineer, he was Vice President of supplier specification compliance and he also served as a representative for the Federal Aviation Administration until retirement in 1993.

As a young man, Paul went roller skating with friends to the roller rink in Elizabeth and his life would change forever. He and a young lady named Lena Torsiello would meet that night and, after their first official date dancing at the Elizabeth Elks Lodge, they truly fell in love. When Paul and Lena made their intentions to marry known Paul was called to a sit down with Lena’s father, eldest brother Jimmy and Aunt Lucy. They interrogated him about his background, family history, future school and work intentions. Lena’s father proclaimed that, although they thought he was perfect, she should keep looking. Lena’s family and specifically her father would grow to love Paul. When Paul’s father learned of this meeting he in turn gave some fatherly advice to Paul. He told him when you go to visit Lena always greet her father when you first get there. He also suggested they agree on the following; 1. Lena wouldn’t interfere with his education, 2. They would never spend more than $100 without asking each other’s permission, and 3. They would never go to bed angry at each other. Paul and Lena went to a pawn shop in Atlantic City where they purchased a diamond engagement ring and married on Saturday, May 1, 1954 at Saint Lucy’s Church in Newark.  They drove Paul’s 1953 blue Plymouth for three days on Route 1 and honeymooned in Miami, Florida.

Married life began in Nutley where Paul and Lena were blessed with the birth of their beautiful daughter Nancy. In 1972, after nineteen years in Nutley, they moved to Whippany and remained there until 1993 when they moved to Smoke Rise in Kinnelon. In 2004, they moved one last time to Woodland Park.

Retirement afforded the welcomed opportunity for more extended travel which Paul and Lena enjoyed very much. They especially loved the adventures they took to Italy, California, and Nassau Bahamas. When the weather got too cold in New Jersey, they escaped to their condo in Jupiter, Florida, staying there from October to Thanksgiving and after Christmas until Easter. Paul’s favorite eating spots in Florida included Dune Dogs where he could get foot-long hot dogs, and Duffy’s which served the most delicious burgers and always offered two-for-one drink specials.  

Being a true sports enthusiast and a member of the Upper Montclair Country Club, Paul could often be found playing golf at the club and, during his retirement years, in Florida. He was also a diehard Giants and Mets fan and he was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. Paul was always utilizing his engineering experience around the house to keep it maintained in tip-top shape. He could fix and build anything and when he started a project he carried it out with great enthusiasm.

Paul was a devout Catholic whose faith meant the world to him. He was always active in the life of the church, serving as an usher for many years at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Whippany and at St. Mary’s in Nutley.  

Above everything else in his life, Paul cherished times spent with his family. His daughter Nancy recalls the great vacations they took together when she was growing up – vacations to Maine, Washington D.C. and down the Jersey Shore where they stayed in Silver Beach near Lavallette and Ortley Beach. In the summer, their home was a regular meeting place for family and friends to drop by for a visit and a swim in the pool. Paul absolutely beamed every time he saw his granddaughter Sophia. He and Lena had the honor of caring for her when she was a baby and they grew very close. They played games, swam in the ocean, and watched football games together. Paul especially enjoyed taking Sophia for ice cream. Truth be told, it was usually he that wanted the ice cream more than Sophia.

Paul had a heart of gold! He will always be remembered and dearly loved for his loyal, loving and affable spirit. He was a great role model and, though he accomplished much in his life, he always maintained a humble spirit.

Paul was the beloved husband of Lena (Torsiello) Lentine, blessed in marriage for sixty-six years until her passing in 2020. He was the devoted father of Nancy Lentine DO and her husband Lee Turner of Kinnelon; and cherished grandfather of Sophia Lentine-Turner of Kinnelon; Paul was also predeceased by his sister Anna Staffa and brother Anthony Lentine.

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In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Paul’s name are asked to consider:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

You can also donate online by clicking here (www.stjude.org)