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Joseph (Joe) P. Paone. Respected attorney, acclaimed theater actor and beloved family man died suddenly in Albuquerque on Friday, August 15, 2003 at the age of 60. Born in New York City on October 16, 1942 to Nicola and Delia Paone, Joe enjoyed a childhood that revolved around family, education and his father's occupation as an internationally renowned singer and entertainer. Early on, Joe demonstrated his own penchant for entertainment by landing parts in radio and television shows, and even sharing the Broadway stage with revered actors like Walter Matthau and Uta Hagen. Joe honed his acting skills throughout his life, branching out from his beginnings as a child actor to performing, directing and writing plays, many of which were performed in Albuquerque. Joe earned an undergraduate degree at Fordham University in New York before heading west to complete his law degree at the University of New Mexico. This accomplishment translated into a long and successful career in the legal field for Joe, who spent over 25 years as an attorney in New Mexico. Paone spent much of his career prosecuting white collar crime for the Bernalillo County District Attorney's office and the State of New Mexico's Attorney General's office. Coworkers and associates lauded Joe's legal acumen and professional dedication to the people of New Mexico. At the time of his death, Joe served as Bernalillo County's Chief Deputy District Attorney under current District Attorney Kari Brandenburg. Many people remember Joe not only for his work in the legal realm, but for his dedication to theater in Albuquerque. Joe starred in numerous theater productions, taking on roles such as the Emcee in Cabaret, and Groucho in Groucho, A Life In Review. Joe also directed numerous shows, including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Music Man and many more. Paone wrote and directed his final show, Vaudeville Memories, in July at the Albuquerque Little Theater. He was also a playwright, writing several scripts, his favorite being Just Kidding, a musical about childhood. When not working diligently as a prosecutor or entertainer, Joe most likely could be found spending time with his family. He dedicated much of his free time cultivating his relationship with his wife Karen, his children, and of late, his 3-year-old granddaughter, who always called him Nonno, which means grandfather in Italian. Joe also spent much time with his aging parents, who recently moved to Albuquerque from New York State. Joe is survived by his wife Karen Paone of Albuquerque; son, Nick Paone of Franklin, MA, daughter, Beth Fuller, son-in-law Kevin Fuller, granddaughter Emma Fuller, and his parents, Nicola and Delia Paone, all of Albuquerque. A memorial service celebrating Joe Paone's life is scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2003, 4 p.m., at French Mortuary at 10500 Lomas NE in Albuquerque. A reception will be held immediately following the memorial service at the Albuquerque Little Theater, 224 San Pasquale Avenue SW. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joe's name to the American Cancer Society, 5800 Lomas Blvd NE, 87110 or the New Mexico Alzheimer's Association, 8100 Mountain Road NE, Suite 102, 87110. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
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