The Reverend Joe di Paola

The son of Sicilian immigrants, Joseph di Paola was born in New Orleans on October 11, 1930, and entered into the nearer presence of his Lord on February 8, 2009. He is survived by his beloved wife Betty; their three children, Michael Joseph di Paola, Virginia Anne (Ginger) di Paola Kleypas and husband Steve, and David Anthony di Paola; and three grandchildren, Samuel Thomas di Paola, Amy Katherine Kleypas, and Andrew Joseph Kleypas. Joe di Paola grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, attended Birmingham Southern, and was graduated (with a double major and a double minor) from the University of St. Thomas, Houston. A graduate of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, Joe was ordained deacon in 1961 at All Saints' Church, Austin, and priest in 1962 at Trinity Church, Jasper, Texas. He also served as priest at Trinity (Galveston), Christ Church (Temple), and St. Martin's (Houston). After "retirement," he served as interim rector at Trinity (Houston), Trinity (Galveston), St. John's (La Porte), St. Mark's (Beaumont), St. George's (Texas City), and St. Matthew's (Austin). During the 18 months at St. Matthew's, he was a major loving, healing presence, supporting the laity in their myriad ministries and dreams of ministry and making gumbo for the whole parish. Love between parish and priest was mutual and so strong that he and Betty sold their home in Galveston to become full-time participants, with Joe as assisting clergy there. Indeed, he attended St. Matthew's the Sunday before his death and died, in the words of his son-in-law, "in time for ultimate church" on Sunday, February 8. A viewing will take place at the chapel of Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple, Texas, on Wednesday, February 11, from 6 to 8 pm. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Matthew's ( 8134 Mesa Drive), Austin, on Thursday, February 12, at 3 pm, with the Rt. Rev. Claude Payne officiating and the Rev. Susan J. Barnes preaching. A reception will immediately follow the service in Huffman Hall. "The lives he touched were too numerous to count, but every one of them counted." (Stories about Joe will be collected at [email protected].)