Paul Taravella

Born and raised in Allia, Sicily, he immigrated to the United States in 1959, living first in Newark. He moved to Rosebank in 1963.

After he and Linda Pecoraro wed in 1966, the couple lived in Dongan Hills. In 1969 they moved to Great Kills, in 1989 to Huguenot, and in 2011, settled in Charleston.

A skilled mason, Mr. Taravella owned and operated P & V Contracting, a cement and masonry business, for more than 26 years. He retired in 1996.

He had a green thumb, raising vegetables, tomatoes and figs, and taught his gardening skills to his children, grandchildren and other family members. He also taught them how to play cards using an Italian deck, which differs from the American version.

Mr. Taraavella enjoyed baseball and rooted for the New York Yankees.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren, who he referred to as "his medicine."

Mr. Taravella was a parishioner of St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Rosebank.

Surviving, along with Linda, his wife of 48 years, are his son, Dr. Joseph; his daughters, Gina Monte and Lia Cherry; his sisters, Maria Volpe, Rosalia Barcellona and Connie Orlando, and seven grandchildren.

The funeral will be Saturday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Grasmere.