Paul proudly served our country in World War II. He trained as an anti-tank specialist, later serving as a cannoneer with the 335th Artillery of Patton’s Third Army. Paul grew up on his family farm learning to play the violin, and when some of his fellow soldiers found one in Germany, he traded for it and began to play. This talent got him out of a lot of post-war duties as he ended up in a band playing for as many as 15,000 men after Germany’s surrender.
After his time in the Army, Paul worked for the International Furniture Company, became a local distributor of Hamm’s Beer, owner and operator of Paul’s Drive In and ended his career working in furniture repair and renovation at the Department of Student Housing with Texas A&M University.
Paul loved spending time in nature. He loved fishing, tending to his garden and working with his cattle. He and his wife, Rosie, loved dancing and belonged to the Jolly Corks ballroom dance club. He was a lifetime member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church as well as their Men’s Club and a member of the Sons of Hermann. Paul played cards with his friends every week at the 19th Hole until a few years ago when he gave it up to take care of his wife.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Mary Emola Ponzio; brothers Pat, Luke, Sam, Joe, Louis, and Johnny Ponzio; In-laws Dominick and Rose Morrell Restivo; brothers-in-law Mike Lampo, Gene Beger, and Sam Santana; sisters-in-law Angie Ponzio, Charlotte Ponzio, Laura Ponzio, Jessie Lee Ponzio, Lucille Restivo Beger, and Concetta Restivo Santana; and son Gary Paul. The family would like to send their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Legacy Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and especially Alisa for the care she has given to Paul and his wife in recent years.
He is survived by his wife of 75 years Rose Restivo Ponzio; their four children, Bernie Ponzio, daughter and son-in law Geralyn Ponzio and Howard West, son and daughter-in-law Raymond and Melinda Ponzio, and David Ponzio; grandchildren Chelsi and Danny Bass; step-grandsons Brian, John, and Skylar Perez; great-grandchildren Harper and Weston Bass; sister Sally Lampo; sisters-in-law Betty Ponzio and Diana Ponzio; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Friday, February 3, 2023 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 pm with a 7:00 pm rosary Thursday, February 2 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
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