Patrick J. Dipaolo

Patrick J. DiPaolo

Patrick John DiPaolo, age 44, passed away Thursday, August 22, 2013 at UPMC Hamot after an extended illness.

The beloved son of District Judge Dominick and Janet (Colao) DiPaolo, was born on March 14, 1969 in Erie, PA. He graduated Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School and Cathedral Preparatory School, Class of 1987. He was a three sport letterman in football, wrestling and baseball. He received a scholarship to Thiel College where he played football and was co-captain of the baseball team. He served as vice-president of the Delta Phi Kappa Fraternity (aka Fun Bunch). He graduated from Thiel with his Bachelor's Degree in Graphic and Fine Arts and was hired as the assistant baseball coach for the Theil Tomcats.

At Edinboro University he received his Elementary, Secondary and Master's Degrees in Education. He then continued his post graduate work and earned his Administrive and Superintendent Certificates.

Patrick worked his way up through the Erie School District; beginning as a teacher's aide, an art teacher, and as an assistant principal. He became the first principal of the Flagship Transitional School and was later appointed the principal of East High School.

Patrick was the head Junior Varsity Coach at Cathedral Prep under Mina George and later became the head coach of the Central High School Football Program.

He played Slo-Pitch for many years and coached Boys Baseball.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Pasquale "Pat" and Mary (Pallotto) DiPaolo; maternal grandparents, John and Antoinette (Corsi) Colao; uncle, Larry Robbins; in-laws, Frederick and Mary Pope and sister-in-law, Sue Groszkiewicz.

In addition to his parents he is survived by his beloved wife whom he married on February 21, 1998, Elizabeth (Pope) DiPaolo; his daughter, Julia; his son, Dominick "Nico"; a sister, Dawn Marie DiPaolo-Romeo and husband Michael Romeo; brothers-in-law, Fred Pope and Mike Groszkiewicz; sister-in-law, Linda Pope; nephew, Gino Romeo; nieces, Gianna Romeo, Misty Eckendorf and Sarah Cryer ; aunts, Patricia (DiPaolo) Romeo and Mary Jane (Colao) Robie; uncle, Jim Robie and cousins, Greg and Tim Robbins, Kimberly, Brian, and Jennifer Robie and families.

He is further survived by his godfather, John Euliano and his dear childhood friend, Robert "Wizz" Wieczorek.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m. and may attend a Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church, 816 West 26th Street, at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will be in Calvary Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Patrick J. DiPaolo Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o PJD Scholarship, 926 West 33rd St., Erie, PA 16508. Patrick's family would like to thank his caregivers, Van Beason, Kelly Johnson and Montana Smith for the wonderful care they gave him.