Paul R. Restante Jr.

LITTLE FALLS – Mr. Paul R. Restante, Jr., age 96, a lifelong Little Falls resident, passed away peacefully, in his sleep, on Tuesday morning, January 7, 2025. His passing occurred at the Masonic Care Community of CNY where Paul has resided for the past five years.

Born in Little Falls on October 29, 1928, Paul was the son of the late Paul, Sr. and Jennie (Russo) Restante. He was raised and educated locally, attending Little Falls schools.

On June 20, 1948, Paul was joined in marriage with the former Margaret M. Smith at St. Joseph’s Church in Little Falls. Together, Paul and Marge spent over sixty-three years of love, laughter and happiness; building a life and raising their daughters on traditional values of faith and family. As they grew older together, they enjoyed spending their winters in Florida.

Paul was a very hardworking man who spent over thirty-five years in the dairy business as a co-owner of Restante Dairy Bar in Little Falls. He then continued to work for the Hennessy Vending Company for over a decade until his retirement in 1991.

Paul was a family man who always enjoyed the company of his children, grandchildren, brothers and extended family. He had a musical ear and passion for playing the drums and loved to dance. Through the years, he was also fond of getting together with friends and family for a good game of cards.

He was devout in his Catholic faith and was a parishioner of Holy Family Parish in Little Falls. He will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Paul is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Marie and Mark Linney of Fort Myers, FL and Pamela and Andrew Rejman of Bradenton, FL; his two grandsons, Paul Rejman and Justin Wilcox of Forestport, NY and Michael Rejman and wife, Stacey, of Rome, NY; his great-grandson, Carter Rejman; his brother, Mario Restante, of Sarasota, FL; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents; beloved wife, Margaret; daughter, Linda Restante; his brothers, John (Rose) Restante and Peter (Jane) Restante; and his sister-in-law, Delores Restante.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend Paul’s funeral service, which will commence on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, consisting of a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Parish in Little Falls at 11:00AM with final internment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, town of Herkimer.

Paul’s final wishes were pre-arranged and entrusted to the Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 West Monroe Street, Little Falls, NY (315) 823-2424, Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate, Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com .