Paul F. Cirioni, age 80, of 30 Coburn Ave., Mystic, died Saturday at the Westerly Hospital after being stricken ill in Pawcatuck.
Paul was born in Groton on March 11, 1922 the son of Frank and Josephine Cirioni. Raised in Mystic, he attended local schools and was awarded a degree in business. He served in the US Coast Guard from 1942-1945.
A well known and respected local businessman, Paul started one of the Carvel Ice Cream Franchises in Connecticut and for many years owned and operated the former International Harvester dealership at the current site of Sea Swirl in Mystic. After selling the businesses in the 1970's, he was employed as an inspector for the Connecticut State Dept. of Motor vehicles.
Active in community and civic activities, he was a communicant of St. Patrick Church in Mystic and a member of the Father Murphy Council Knights of Columbus of Mystic, the Mystic community center, and the Kawanis Club. He was also a life member of the Mystic Rod & Gun Club and was a charter member of the Groton Lodge of Elks.
Paul also served as Chairman of the Board of the Edythe K. Richmond Homes in Stonington and served on the Board of Directors of the Thames River River Sculls Rowing Team, training them for the olympics in 1988, 1992, and 1996. He was a cofounder of the Tarzan Brown Road Race and was active in the Mohegan Striders.
He is survived by a son, Mark Cirioni of Groton, a brother, Rudolph Cirioni of Mystica niece and a nephew. He was predeceased by his wife, Ruth (Foley) Cirioni, who died November 2, 1965.
Paul's family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Wednesday evening from 6-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick Church, east Main Street, on Thursday at 10am.