Obituary of Vilmo Di Paolo

Vilmo Di Paolo, 99, of Totowa, New Jersey passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, Paterson. He is survived by his loving wife of 75 years, Henrietta (nee Di Loreto) their daughters Diane & her husband Thomas Buckley, Elaine & her husband Anthony Masino, and Lucille Di Paolo, and cherished grandson Matthew Masino. He is predeceased by his siblings Angelo, Luisa, and Tony Di Paolo. He is also survived by his sister-in-laws, Jean Veltri & Sonja Di Paolo, as well as several nieces & nephews.

Vilmo was born in Civitella Alfedena, Italy to Luigi and Angelina (Antonucci) Di Paolo on June 27, 1925. He was a graduate of the Royal Institute of Subiaco in Rome, Italy and became a school teacher before immigrating to the United States in 1948. He worked as an insurance agent for Metropolitan and John Hancock Insurance Companies. He afterwards became a Real Estate Broker along with his wife, Henrietta and they founded Di Paolo Realty in 1969 prior to joining Century 21 in 1978. Vilmo was the principal owner of Century 21 Gold Properties Realty, Inc.

Vilmo held numerous positions in government and served the Passaic County community faithfully. He was a member and President of the Totowa Board of Education; Councilman on the Totowa Borough Council; Treasurer of the Totowa Republican Club; Commissioner on the Board of Assessment; Passaic County Adjuster; and Commissioner on the Passaic County Board of Taxation for over 26 years. He sang in the St. James Church choir, served as an usher, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Vilmo enjoyed playing cards, golfing, which he first took up in his 60’s, and spending winters in Boca Raton, Florida. He was a generous, kind, and loving man who enjoyed special times with family & friends.

Funeral service will be held at Saint James of the Marches Church in Totowa on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 10:00 am with Reverend Marc Mancini officiating. Visitation will be held at Festa Memorial Funeral Home on November 3, 2024 from 2:00-6:00pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 50 Warner Road Hubbard, Ohio, 44425 and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.