Paul J. "Buddy" "Mr. Golden Cask" Colletti

Paul was born on January 12, 1924 at 2248 Ninth Street in Port Arthur to Mary Graffagnino Colletti and Cologero “Calo” Colletti. Paul was one of four children; the oldest sister was Pauline who married Dalton Moore; they had one daughter Paula Ann Moore. Next was Margaret, who married Jim Ferrante and they had one son, Joey Ferrante. The youngest was Mary Ann who married Bob Redkey. Mary Ann passed away on January 31, 2005. At six years of age, Paul attended DeQueen Elementary School; at age thirteen, he went to Woodrow Wilson School. His parents wanted him to go to a parochial high school so he was enrolled at St. Mary High School for his sophomore, junior and senior years. At St. Mary’s, Paul participated in baseball, basketball and football and was captain of the football team and president of his senior class. He graduated with the second highest grades for the boys.

After graduating, Paul worked the summer at Texaco Refinery Company to earn money to go to college. He later enrolled at Texas A&M University in 1942 where he played freshman football and later received his draft notice and was inducted in the U.S. Army in March 1943 at Camp Wolters, Texas. He served three years and one month and served overseas in Italy. Paul was honorably discharged in April 1946. After being discharged, Paul worked as an insurance agent; he then went to work for a friend of his father’s at Boyer’s Cigar Store. In 1952, Paul married Dimples Brown and was married until her death on November 9, 1983. Dimples had two sons, James and Delward Horn.

In 1952, Paul and Dimples purchased the “Seahawk Drive-In” from John Ippolito. It was a drive-in restaurant where they sold food, milk shakes, malts, ice cream, soda drinks and they also sold beer. In 1956, they converted it to the “Sky Room” which was a place for meeting friends, having drinks and enjoying yourself. In 1960, they remodeled and put in a private club, “The Golden Cask.” It was one of the first private clubs in East Texas; it was a membership club and the dues were only three dollars a month. They had a band playing six nights a week and their favorite promotion was $2.00 “steak night,” it was very popular amongst the members.

In 1966, Paul went into partnership with Tony Cascio, Tom Dryer and Paul “Nip Nap” Bruscato and they opened “Shakey’s Pizza Parlor” right next door to the “Golden Cask.” A year later, they opened “Shakey’s Pizza Parlor” in Beaumont. They showed old silent movies, had a piano player and banjo player who led sing alongs. Paul and Dimples were running all three businesses at one time; they put in many long hours and a lot of hard work, but they did it. After a few years, the parlor in Beaumont was sold. In 1970, Paul and Dimples sold the “Golden Cask” and the Port Arthur “Shakey’s Pizza” was remodeled and turned into “Colletti’s Italian Restaurante” featuring old recipes from the family. After selling “Colletti’s,” Paul retired in 1986.

After Dimples passed away, Paul met Louise Pitre. Paul and Louise dated for quite some time and took many vacations together. Louise had three children, one daughter, Becky and two sons, Mickey and Billy who later passed away. On October 23, 2004, Paul and Louise were married at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church with Father Kevin Badeaux presiding. Louise’s brother, Mickey and his wife, Carol came from Newport News, Virginia and was the best man and matron of honor. Also attending were Bill and Barbara Bostwick and Curtis Gary all from North Carolina.

Paul was past President of the Port Arthur Jaycees, past President of Port Arthur Sertoma Club; past President of the Southeast Italian-American Club; life member of the Port Arthur Sertoma Club; American Legion; life member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1304 and a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. Paul also served on the Parish Council and Financial Committee and was a Lecturer.

Paul is survived by his wife, Louise Marcella Colletti of Port Arthur; sister, Margaret “Maggie” Colletti Ferrante and her husband, James “Jim” Ferrante of Port Arthur; step-son, Mickey Gary and his wife Karen; step-daughter, Becky Jordan and her husband, Dennis; step-sons, James Horn and wife, Jean and Delward Horn; brother-in-law, Mickey Marcella and wife, Carol of Newport News, Virginia; niece, Paula Ann Perry and husband, Wayman of Spring, Texas and nephew, Joey Ferrante and wife Coleen of Houston, Texas and great niece, Stephanie Myers.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Cologero “Cal” Colletti; his first wife, Dimples Brown Colletti; sisters, Pauline Colletti Moore and Mary Ann Colletti Redkey and his step-son, Billy Gary.

A gathering of friends and family will be conducted from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 24, 2010 at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home in Port Arthur. A Eulogy will be presented by the Southeast Italian-American Society and the Port Arthur Sertoma Club from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday. A Scriptural Rosary will be recited by Father Stephen McCrate at 7:00 p.m. Friday with visitation to continue afterwards until 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. A mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 25, 2010 at St. Catherine Sienna Catholic Church in Port Arthur with Father Stephen McCrate serving as the Celebrant and Father Duc Q. Duong con-celebrating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves, Texas.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Pete Anselmo, Mark Fiorenza, Rickie Norris, Dennis Ruddy, Otis Ward and Al Anselmo. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Frank Gillespie and “W.J.” Bill Thompson, the members of the Port Arthur Sertoma Club and the members of the Italian-American Club.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kaissi and staff and Dr. Abochamb and staff for all of their love and support they gave to Paul over the last several years. We would also like to thank Dr. Timothy Connolly; Dr. Victor Narcisse; III; Dr. Alexander Butkevich; Dr. Isaac Raijman; Dr. Clinton H. Doerr and Dr. Dang M. Nguyen and the staff in the I.C.U. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston for the wonderful care they gave to Paul in his final days. For those unable to attend services, you may sign the “Guest Book” at www.grammier-oberle.com.

Paul was an entrepreneur; civic leader; war veteran; philanthropist; athlete; husband; brother; grandfather and a MAN OF GOD but mostly, he was a FRIEND to everyone and he will be missed dearly by all who had the pleasure of meeting him. We love you Paul and we will see you again one day.