Dec 23, 2013

U.S. Army veteran

Arduino “Archie” Paci, 86, of Dry Tavern, died of natural causes Tuesday, December 17, 2013, surrounded by his family, at his son’s home in Milton, Ga.

He was born June, 18, 1927, in Millfred Terrace, a son of Franceso and Marcia Schiavoni Paci.

Mr. Paci was a graduate of East Bethlehem High School.

He served in the U.S. Army in Germany in 1945 and was a member of the Fredericktown Legion for more than 60 years. After returning from military service, he attended trade school on the G.I. Bill and trained as a carpenter.

Mr. Paci worked for Millsboro Lumber before starting out on his own as an independent carpenter/home builder for more than 30 years.

He was a resident of Dry Tavern for more than 50 years, where in lived in three different houses that he built.

Mr. Paci was known for his great sense of humor and his hearty laugh, and many of the people he worked for became great friends. His hobbies included working on his 1928 Dodge, which he owned for more than 40 years, refurbishing and playing player pianos and tending to his garden. His favorite poet was Robert Service and he was particularly fond of “The Cremation of Sam McGee,” which was often recited at his annual Baccala Party.

Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Kathleen Kurtz Paci; three children, Frank (Frances) Paci, Mary (Rod) Paci MacDougall and John (Valerie) Paci; and six grandchildren.

Deceased are a son, Walter Paci; a brother, Mario Paci; and sisters Giuditta “Judy” Burless and Elda Amberik.

There are no services scheduled at this time.