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The
Life & Times
You might
expect someone approaching his 81st birthday to be taking
it easy, watching TV in a nice air-conditioned room.
“Not Me,” says Paul pagano, who will reach that
age on August 3. “The Good Lord keeps me healthy,
and as long as I can I will continue making people smile.”
Pagano, who lives in Overland, with his second wife, Mary,
is better known to the St.Louis public as “Father
Time”. He has been attending parades, celebrations
and sporting events in costumes to fit the occasion since
1985.
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“It all
started at a Halloween Party at Finnegers in Baden. I dressed
up in a wig and mask and cut a hole in a sheet, going as Father
Time. Also, I loved Kate Smith and her rendition of “God
Bless America” So I decorated my produce van and started
wearing patriotic costumes and playing music to fit the season
and occasion. That’s how it all got started, “
explained Pagano. |
xxxxxPagano
earned his living as a produce merchant for over 60 Years,
working all over the city and county. He retired 5 years
ago, about the same time as his bus.
xxxxx“It wouldn’t
pass inspection, so I gave it to the Cancer Society, he
said.
xxxxxBut he keeps very busy,
appearing at community festivals such as the Florissant
Valley of Flowers and the Hazelwood Centennial. Pagano tries
to get to as many Cardinals, Blues and Rams games as he
can, not to see the games so much as to greet the many fans.
He has marched in most of the VP Fair parades, walks in
both of the St.Patrick Day parades, and has traveled to
Chicago’s Columbus Day celebration and to Milwaukee
for its Italian Festival. And he can be seen regularly at
his favorite corner near the intersection of Ashby and St.Charles
Rock Road in St. Ann Mo.
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xxxx
x“You know, almost 1,
000 cars pass by they’re going east in an hour. I
know… I’ve counted ‘em,” says Pagano
with a grin.
xxxxxThe man known for his
colorful outfits grew up near 22nd street and Cass Avenue
in the city, near the St.Leo’s Parish. He lived with
his family in the Walnut Park neighborhood for over 34 years.
Pagano served in the military during World War II, participating
in the invasion of France with 531st Engineers. His unit
cleared mine fields and built trestle bridges into Belgium.
xxxxx He was married to his
first wife, also named Mary, for over 29 years. She passed
away some time ago. Pagano boasts of “7 beautiful
kids, 5 boys and 2 girls, 18 grandchildren and a great grand
child on the way.”xPaul
“Father Time “ Pagano says he can’t imagine
doing anything else.
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xxxxx“I
love what I do. My mission is to spread myself, to bring
smiles to people faces. I greet people and they smile, see.
My signs and costumes always express the occasion, like
God Bless America, Go Cardinals, and Buona Festa for Hill
Day celebrations, things like that. I have no wealth, but
I have my health. I can’t be like some old people
who say ‘it’s too hot, it’s too crowed,
there’s too much walking’. My goal is to be
known world-wide…people from all over take their picture
with me. When I’m not at an event, people miss me.
I’ve lived an interesting life. You know, I’m
not weird… I’m gifted. “ Said Pagano,
with his characteristic smile.
xxxxx“Father Time’
combines his love of people and county with a passion for
music, especially polka, and offers a reptoire of love 50
songs on the harmonica. He feels that the late legendary
singer Kate Smith impires him.
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Father Time with polka
Legend Frank Yankovic |
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xxxxx“She
sang “God Bless America”, Climb Every Mountain,
and “The impossible Dream.” I played all these
songs when I had my van. I would like to be known world-wide,
and I do have fans of all ages,” grinned Pagano.
xxxxxSo the next time you
cross paths with St.Louis’ unofficial Ambassador of
Good Will, return his wave and smile with one of your own.
He will be happy, knowing he has brought joy to one more
person.
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