Obituary of Paul N. Lofaro

Paul Lofaro “I’m not lucky….I’m blessed!” Everyone who met Paul loved him! Whether it was dear family, close friends, acquaintances, waitresses, nurses, aides, doctors or people just passing in the hallway, all got the same treatment: a big smile, a sincere hello, and a showering of his genuine interest. He lit up every room he entered and his laughter was contagious. He made everyone he encountered feel special. He was the unique type of man who based on his vast accomplishments could have spent his time drawing attention to himself, but instead chose to celebrate the achievements of others, no matter how insignificant. It was more important for Paul that the people he spoke to felt good. He was truly selfless. Paul adored his wife, Lora, and kept repeating (endlessly!) during their 64 years of marriage, “Isn’t your mother beautiful?” Some love lasts a lifetime, but I’m sure he would stay that theirs will last forever. Once he retired, they enjoyed traveling the world together and took many wonderful and exotic vacations (who can forget the time his wife was lost in Russia?!). Their love of opera, museums and Broadway plays kept them plenty busy when they were home. Once they moved from their house in Beechhurst to The Amsterdam in Port Washington, they were so blessed to be able to continue these interests even more. Although he was a successful business executive, owning several amazing companies, he always felt that his four daughters were his biggest and most cherished accomplishment. Unfortunately, those who knew him can certainly attest to this fact since he never tired of regaling them with stories about those daughters!! One recent Father’s Day, the girls tried to compile a list of “Things My Father Taught Me” and were astounded at how long it was! Later, when the girls married, he welcomed their husbands as true sons and cherished them deeply. The boys knew this and frequently went to him for career advice; he always listened with rapt attention and genuine interest, and doled out sage advice. His 8 grandchildren adored their “Poppy”. He loved them back with all his might and spent time telling them stories to make them laugh; he was always looking to have fun with them. Whenever anyone would say how lucky he was to have such a wonderful family, he would correct them and say, “I’m not lucky…I’m blessed!”