Joseph J. Paoli

He was born July 25, 1928, in Hancock, a son of Guilio and Tisbe (Petroni) Paoli, and resided in Hancock a few years as a child before moving to South Range, where he graduated from Jeffers High School in Painesdale.

As a child, he grew up in his family business, Paoli’s Economy Market, before being drafted in the United States Navy, on October 28, 1950, and was stationed in the Aleutians, at ADAK Naval Base. He continued to serve there before returning and concluding his military service in the Naval reserves in Hancock.

On September 5, 1955, he was married to Arbutus Marie Lucchesi of Calumet at Sacred Heart Church, and resided in South Range. He continued to work his family’s business until it was sold in 1981.

Joseph had a strong commitment to the town of South Range and its residents, as he often referred as “living in God’s Country.” A committed resident, he believed in contributing to and getting involved with the community.

Joe was an active member of his church in South Range, Holy Family Parish. He also was one of the original members of the South Range Snowmobile Club and assisted in establishing it in Atlantic Mine.

He was active and assisted in many fund raising activities as a former South Range Lions Club member and was recently recognized for his service as a member of the American Legion Post 186 of Hancock for 64 years. Joseph belonged to the South Range Fire Department where he was honored to serve with many distinguished and devoted men of the community for 27 years. A member of the department in 1962, he became Fire Chief in 1977, and retired in 1989.

He was proud to help and provide protection to the community and also be involved in many fund raising activities, Christmas celebrations, Fourth of July events and tournaments representing his department and town.

Joseph’s first love was to his wife, Arbutus, who together, just celebrated 65 years of matrimony this past September, and to his family.

He is survived by his wife, Arbutus Paoli; his two children, Mark (Dee) Paoli of Chassell, and Craig (Laura) Paoli of South Range; his sister, Lyda Stimac of Houghton; his brother-in-law, Eugene (MaryAnn) Lucchesi; his grandchildren, James Paoli, Marcus Paoli, Leila and William Brice and Jordan Paoli; nine great-grandchildren, David, Joseph, Isabella, Rocko, Sydney, Mira, Juniper, Harper Rose and Holden.

Besides his parents, Guilio and Tisbe Paoli, Joseph was also preceded in death by his sisters, Linda (Joseph) LaRoche, Angeline (Clifford) Paulson, Julia (Joseph) Pleshe; his brothers, Guido (Lucy) Paoli, Lido (MaryAnn) Paoli; and a brother-in-law, George Stimac.

The Paoli family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Sigurd Janners for his continued support, care and dedication in these matters.

Memorials may be made to Holy Family Parish, Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to the Omega House in the name of Joseph Paoli.

A private Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish in South Range, with Fr. John Martignon as celebrant. Spring burial will be in the Mountain View Cemetery in South Range.

Arrangements are being handled by the Mountain View Mortuary of South Range, Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.