Paul "Dino" DeMartino, age 53, a resident of Bella Vista AR. and formerly of Troy, New York, died Friday, June 25, 2010 at the Circle of Life Hospice Center in Springdale, AR after a long and courageous fight with lung cancer. His loving wife and his brother were by his side. Born and raised in Troy, NY, the son of Henry and Janet DeMartino, he was a longtime resident of Bella Vista, AR. In his youth, Mr. DeMartino worked part time peeling potatoes for his Dad's catering service and delivering papers for the Troy Record. After passing his peeling knife and his paper route down to his younger brothers, he started his long and illustrious culinary career working the kitchen at Rock Candy Mountain in Troy so he could ski (and eat) for free. Dino graduated from Lansingburgh High School in 1975 and later attended The Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute in Providence RI. Over the years, as an Executive Chef, he commanded the kitchens of several prestigious restaurants and private clubs throughout the country including The Birmingham (AL) Country Club, and The Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, AR. In the 1990s - before the advent of Recipe.com, and The Food Network - "Chef Paul" appeared regularly on the "Good Morning Alabama" TV Show in Birmingham - offering recipes and culinary words of wit and wisdom to the good people of Alabama. Paul and Ann moved to Bella Vista, AR in 2000 where Paul established and managed the gourmet kitchen at The Market at Pinnacle Gourmet Store. He later moved over to The Pinnacle Country Club where he served as Executive Chef until late last year when he could no longer work due to his illness. Paul had many wonderful, close friends in New York and Arkansas and he enjoyed playing golf, cooking for friends and family, fishing, skiing, traveling, watching NASCAR and the NFL, and heading out to the Casinos every once in a while. He and Ann always enjoyed company and spending time with each other and all their great friends and family. Some knew him as "Dino", some called him "Paulie" - but no matter what we called him, we all loved him and will miss him dearly. Rest in Peace our Brother - you fought bravely and with honor until the end. We love you and will never forget you and the things you taught us about living... and about dying with dignity. Preceded in death by his parents, Henry C. DeMartino and Janet L. (Bailey) Demartino, Paul leaves his loving wife of 20 years, Ann (Tampio) DeMartino of the home in Bella Vista, AR; his sister Carol (DeMartino) Harrington and husband Chuck of Rochester, NY; his brothers Jon DeMartino and wife Tamah of Stafford, VA and Joel DeMartino and wife Cathy of Clifton Park, NY; Step-Mother Marylyn Tofteguard DeMartino of Troy, NY; In-Laws, Vince and Carmella Tampio of Silver Creek, NY.; Mike Tampio and wife Kathy of Silver Creek, NY.; Joe Tampio and wife Coral of Richmond, IN; Sue Tampio Borrello and husband George of Silver Creek, NY.; his 15 nieces and nephews; and many close friends, including his and Ann's faithful canine companion "Smokey". A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, June 29 in Rogers, AR. A Funeral Mass and Inurnment Services are scheduled for Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 12:00 pm at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 135 Central Ave., Silver Creek, NY 14136. A short reception will follow services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be considered for The Circle of Life Hospice Center, 901 Jones Rd Springdale AR 72762 (479-872-3300). Online tributes and the family video may be viewed at www.bentoncountymemorialpark.com Reception 1:00 PM Saturday, July 10th, 2010
Short Reception to follow Services
Memorial 12:00 PM Saturday, July 10th, 2010
Funeral Mass & Inurnment at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - 135 Central Ave - Silver Creek, NY 14136