Paul Florio

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Longtime Willowbrook resident Paul L. Florio, 97, a retired letter carrier and loving family man who will be remembered for his generosity, sense of humor and caring nature, died Monday at home.

Born and raised in Manhattan, he moved to Westerleigh in 1950 and settled in Willowbrook in 1963.

Mr. Florio served in the U.S. Army during World War II. A corporal in Company K, he was assigned to the 475th Quartermaster Truck Regiment.

He was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for more than 20 years, working in Manhattan. He retired in 1984.

Mr. Florio was outgoing and made others feel at ease with his warm smile and cheerful personality, family said. He was charitable and generous, and always ready to help someone in need, they added.

He enjoyed reading the Bible. He also liked gardening and reading the Advance.

Mr. Florio was a member of Christian Pentecostal Church, Concord.

His wife of 59 years, the former Helen Marinello, died in 2009.

Surviving are his daughters, Jolene Ippolito, Donna Burgess, Marisa Florio and Paula Florio; four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be Thursday at 10 a.m. in Christian Pentecostal Church. Burial will follow in Rosedale Cemetery, Linden, N.J. Arrangements are being handled by the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners.