This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Paul Falconio who was born in Illinois on March 21, 1966 and passed away on February 26, 2008 at the age of 41. We will remember him forever.

HAPPY 42nd BIRTHDAY!

Although a sad day, it is also a happy one.  I miss you so much but am greatful for the birthdays we did share.  It seems like just the other day that we were at Don's restaurant celbrating your 40th.  I can't believe I won't have the priviledge of planning your 50th birthday party.  The girls and I miss you and carry you in our hearts everywhere.

Paul's passing is still very fresh in my mind and I still find it very hard to comprehend. I would rather think that he has gone away for a few days and that he will be coming home even though my heart knows that's not true.

It's impossible for me to even begin to thank everyone for the overwhelming support that you have shown our family at such a horrible time in our lives. I have recieved so many cards, letters, poems and e-mails that have expressed such a heart felt warmth for Paul that it makes me realize how many people he actualy had a connection with.  I know he would have been very grateful.

When it's all said and done he was a lot of different things to a lot of different people; husband, father, brother, cousing, friend, etc.  Right now it seems like the sick feeling that I have will always be with me, even though I know time will help to make things better.

All of you, that visit this web site are encouraged to send more photos and information that can enhance this wonderful memorial for Paul. If you have some difficulty posting a picture, please contact Anastasia via email and we will help you to post the picture.

About Paul

Paul was born in Danville, Illinois, on March 21, 1966. He grew up in Westville, IL, with his parents and 8 brothers and sisters. He went to grade school at St. Mary's and High School at Schlarman High School in Danville.

Shortly before his 11th birthday, Paul came down with a backache. He then couldn't walk. He was taken to the hospital. Thankfully his sister Linda was studying to be a doctor in Indianapolis. She advised her parents to take him to Riley's Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Upon arriving, he was taken into surgery just 4 hours later. He was found to have non-hogkins lymphoma. His parents were told that he would not walk again. In their wisdom, they did not tell Paul who was a fighter. He went through 18 months of chemo and radiation therapy with 32 pills a day of experimental treatment. He came through, after the loss of much hair and many funny stories about his wig, cured and able to walk!

He learned lots about space and technology. He had fond memories of his trips to the space center in Florida and Disneyland in California. He fell in love with music especially heavy metal. He went to as many concerts as a teenager ( I believe over 200). He has a t-shirt from almost every one. :) He bought a car and had it decked out with a very loud and amped up stereo system. You could definitely hear him coming before he got there. He loved his family very much and thought the world of them. He was a curious man who loved to learn. He loved anything that had to do with computers or technology. He loved to talk when you got to know him. He was a little shy at first :)

He went to college at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. He lived at Allen Hall with lots of friends. They have many funny stories like highjaking the resident advisor's teddy bear, starting a fire, lots of alcohol bottles at the trash cans, filling the RA's room door with popcorn, answering the phone with someone looking for David McFarland, being elected president of the dorm floor because he missed the meeting, having to go to the administration and petition for the floor not to be turned into a women’s' floor. He started majoring in computer science but decided that was not for him. He then went into theatre, which he was very passionate about. Lighting design was interesting and he was mentored by one of the best lighting directors. He had the fortunate opportunity to work in a state of the art center, which gave many opportunities. He then joined the IATSE and got more experience doing concerts not just listening to them. He made many life long friends along the way.

In college in 1988, he met this funny girl who had too many names (Stacey, Anastasia, PRB, etc). He became friends with her and just talked to her about life. The following year he met her on the quad and asked her and her friend if they wanted to go to Rocky Horror Picture show that evening with a group of people from Krannert. Stacey accepted. That night Paul kissed her for the first time. They remained together ever since. Soul mates! He was a hopeless romantic and proposed to her using all of his theatre technology!

After college he got a job at Daytona Beach Community College as their lighting designer. He moved to Daytona while Stacey was in law school. After Stacey came to Florida and they got married, he got a job at Disney. He and Stacey loved Disney even before they worked there. Just look at their wedding cake. The bride and groom were Mickey and Minnie. We moved to Orlando and built a house together. Finally we were blessed with being able to get pregnant. We were even more blessed with not just having one baby but being pregnant with twins. Paul was the best daddy anyone could ever ask for. He was kind and patient and always supportive. He helped the girls learn and develop in a manner that was consistent with his values and beliefs about the world.

We moved in 2006 to Houston, TX. At that time, Paul became a stay at home dad. He used to say it was the best job he ever had. He loved taking the girls to the children's museum as well as to class to learn about math and science. He loved their playtime and the family time we had. We then had the opportunity to move to Southern Indiana in August of 2007. We moved the house in October and in December Paul started being short of breath. He was tested in January 08 and informed that he had to have emergency bypass and valve replacement surgery. He had the surgery and due to his radiation treatment as a child he had a damaged heart. He took longer to recover, but just when we thought he might have turned a corner, he coded during a procedure. The hospital performed CPR, but he never regained consciousness. He then passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2008.

He was a wonderful man who was kind, caring, loved his family, his friends, his kids, his wife and his life. He will be greatly missed.

A Copy of Paul's Obituary

Paul David Falconio, 41, of Charlestown, IN, formally of Westville, IL, passed away at 11:15 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis, IN.

Paul was born in Danville, IL on March 21, 1966, the son of Henry L. and Mary J. (Maritano) Falconio. They survive.

Also surviving is his wife of 12 years, Anastasia, whom he married in River Forest, IL.

Other survivors include Paul's twin daughters Antonella J. and Miranda N. Falconio, five sisters; Dr. Linda (Joe Sanford) Falconio,Diane (Joe) Shapuras, Marcia (Jack Sr.) Good, Patti (David) Leader, and Ann (Danny) Rudd, three brothers; Richard Falconio, Robert (Brenda) Falconio, and John (Sue Colby) Falconio, as well as many nieces and nephews. Paul was a graduate of Schlarman High School and the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

A visitation for Paul Falconio will be held on Friday, February 29, 2008 from 4:30-8:30 pm at Sunset's Community and Life Tribute Center (Formerly Lakeside-Barrick) located at 3550 N. VermilionSt. in Danville. A celebration of Paul's life will take place the following day on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 9:30 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westville, IL. Internment will follow the service at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials may be made to the Paul Falconio fund at Landmark Credit Union located at 220 S. State St., Westville, IL 61883. Proceeds will be donated to his daughters' college educations.