Paul Salvadore Dinicola

Paul Salvadore Dinicola passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 30, 2023 at the age of 80. He was born on April 28, 1943 in New Orleans to Philip and Rosalie Ippolito Dinicola. Beloved husband of the late Betty Saltzman Dinicola. Loving father of Jeffrey (Valerie), Pamela, and James Dinicola. Grandfather of Kimberly and Theodore Dinicola. He is also survived by his twin sister Josephine D. Jacob, brothers Gasper and Philip Dinicola, and loving nieces and nephews.

He grew up working with his father on his produce route on Highway 51 through Summit, McComb and Magnolia, Mississippi and later at his grocery store at the corner of Abundance and Bruxelles in New Orleans. In 1961 he enlisted in the Air Force. During the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 he was stationed at Grand Forks, North Dakota in the 319th SAC where he guarded the B-52s from Soviet missile attacks. That is where he met his long-time friend Dick Ries. Paul was later stationed in Newfoundland at the Cartwright and Stephenville Air Stations. He was a Vietnam-Era Veteran. In 1967 he left the Air Force Reserve to join the Air National Guard in Belle Chasse with the 159th. He attended Delgado Community College on the GI Bill and graduated with an Associate Degree in Business Administration. In 1982 Paul was employed at Jackson Barracks in the Air National Guard and later the Army National Guard where he fondly remembered working with Harry Lee. In 1998 he retired from the military as an auditor with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4.

His cooking and gardening skills were inherited from his Sicilian parents. He could fix anything that was broken, repair and wax cars, and refurbish old furniture in his garage while listening to classic country music and rock n roll. Paul was a strong loyal person who served his family and country. He liked to read history books and watch old movies. He always carried a pocket knife and owned a good pair of shoes. He performed many acts of kindness without others knowing. He spent his retirement years traveling with Betty. She had his heart and he loved and cared for her so dearly when she had cancer. He cherished time with his family, worked out in the gym, and rode his bike. He and Betty lived in Gretna and Gonzales with their final years at Christwood Retirement Community in Covington.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at GRACE FUNERAL HOME, 450 Holy Trinity Drive, Covington, on Saturday afternoon May 6, 2023 at 12:30. Visitation will begin at 10:30 in the morning. Interment will follow in the adjacent St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden with a 21 Gun Salute and Military Honors.