Mr. John Paul Bibona

John Paul Bibona was born and raised in The Bronx, New York City (which, of course, explains the rearrangement of the letter R in all of his conversations) and was adopted wholeheartedly by the warm people of El Paso, Texas. For the past 28 years he has been the Artistic/Executive Director of Theatre, Inc., a touring educational theatre company. He was known as a warm and generous man, a Navy veteran, a consummate actor and a devoted father and grandfather. But his ability to convey depth, subtlety and complexity in all the roles in his life are what he will be best remembered for.

John is survived by his wife, Billie; daughters Alyse and her husband Todd, Suzy and her companion Carrie, Naomi and her husband Russ; sons Michael and his wife Kim, Nathaniel and his companion Tom; brother, Daniel and his wife Veronica and their children, John, Regina and Veronica; sister, Gloria and her son Emmet; his adored grandchildren, Justin, Jacob, Michael, Ryan, Nicole and Rosalie. And we mustn't leave out his loved but totally spoiled "pooch" Bennie.

There will be a Memorial Celebration of John's life on Suday, September 19 at La Tierra Cafe at 1731 Montana Ave in El Paso starting at 3p.m. It will be an Open House, Open Mike & Open Bar for Open Hearts. At John's request, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to SmileTrain, PO Box 96231, Washington DC 20090-6231, www.smiletrain.org.