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1947 - 2015
Paul Camillus Espel, Jr., of Warwick (formerly of New York City) passed away on December 7, 2015 at home. He was 68 years old.
Born on August 17, 1947 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Paul Camillus Espel and Edna Joseph Espel.
He was married to Carol (Burt) Espel.
Paul attended Villanova University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology and also played Division 1 basketball. He then served with the US Army during the Vietnam War. Paul moved to NYC thereafter to attend the Neighborhood Playhouse under the leadership and tutelage of the world-renowned theatrical icon, Sandy Meisner. Paul's career as an actor, director, voice-over specialist and playwright spanned decades. He starred in numerous Broadway and off-Broadway plays, commercials, and movies, most notably with Al Pacino in Scarface.
He was a tremendous influence on his children's eclectic education and exposure to the arts. He offered a myriad of diverse cultural and artistic experiences that have influenced and shaped their perspectives through the years. Paul was also instrumental in guiding their sports and athletics during their school years.
He is survived by his wife, Carol B. Espel of NYC/Warwick; his daughter, Devon Marie Espel of Warwick; his son, Jackson Thomas Espel of Warwick; a sister, Carolyn Capage of Morgantown, West Virginia; two nieces: Laura Capage and Lisa Rademacher.
Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, January 9th at 11am at St. Stephens RC Church, Warwick, NY.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lazear-Smith &Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY. For further information or to send an online condolence, see www.lsvpmemoriahome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I SERVED with Paul in the US Army Signal Corps in 1972 at Ft Gordon, GA. If the family would like to speak with me I can be reached at Luke Lucas,Esquire, 252-432-0015, [email protected]
Luke Lucas
Served In Military Together
August 25, 2020
Dear Carol, my deepest sympathies- I knew Paul briefly at Villanova University in 65-67. He and I were casual friends and I never had contact with him after that as I spent the next two years in the US Navy. However, he made a long lasting impression and I never forgot him. I am not surprised he made a living in the arts. By all accounts he left a wonderful legacy. John Schulte. Villanova 71. I became aware of his passing through a Villanova publication
John Schulte
May 11, 2016
Summer of '82 and Paul had a 20' sloop used he purchased and he needed a fellow sailor to take her down the Stratford river past the Shakespeare theater into Long Island Sound. I don't think he had his CG license, but we had a blast in 20+mph winds, and of course got hung up on a waining tide sandbar, earshot of the shotgun range. I saw him on stage at Yale University's theater playing a protagonist (Russo?) officer with David Alan G. in a swell play that included a helium-filled carriage balloon on stage in a limited performance. Paul's evilness-on-stage was sheer malevolence in person, and I wished he had received more roles to vindicate that persona on film. No one snf I mean NO ONE could recite in-whole, Poe's "Annabelle-Lee" with such beauty and fiber and perfect tonal timing; he helped me greatly with my own early poetry in the early 80-ties.
Paul Szemanczky
March 26, 2016
Although we never met Carol, Paul and I wrote songs together as well as the Musiccand lyrics for a play entitled Tickless Time. I'll never forget the day we were writing together and I was sitting at the piano. The phone rang and I asked Paul to answer it. I said " Take a message" and he answers and says "You're gonna wanna take this" It was George Segal and he wanted permission to use our song Pineapple Wine. We were stunned!! We always had so much fun working together. I had no idea he passed. I was looking for him to reconnect. I cannot tell you how sad this is for me as well. My deepest condolences go out to you. I know what a great guy he was. Alan Cove
Alan Cove
March 25, 2016
Dear Carol, I am so very sorry for your loss. Paul was a wonderful person and always so supportive and smart in his partipation in our poetry group many years ago. I remember fondly the warmth and deep love expressed in poetry he wrote about the birth of your daughter. I am so terribly sorry for your loss and hope that your memories of Paul are a source of blessing and comfort to you and your children always. Best, Sharon Silber, Hudson Pier Poets Group
February 6, 2016
Paul,
I'll never forget back in the day when you were about to begin a Broadway play and before starting the show you came out to Hollywood to visit me for a week. A great time we had. David Orange
January 11, 2016
So very sorry to hear this very special man is gone. My sincere condolences to his family. We grew up and graduated together, he was always one of the favorites of the nuns who taught us. We all were always hoping he'd attend one of our reunions, we missed sharing time with him. My prayers are with you all.
Phyllis (Fernandez) Riccelli
January 3, 2016
Very sorry for your loss. I went to school with Paul and always liked him. He was a good friend and will be truly missed
John Grilli
January 2, 2016
So very sorry to hear this sad news about my friend and classmate. My deepest sympathy to his family. Gone but not forgotten!! God Bless!!
JO BRENNAN (TENDA)
January 2, 2016
We graduated from high school with Paul...our deepest sympathy goes to his wife, children, sister and friends. May he rest in peace.
Francis and Alexis (Julian) Scott.
January 2, 2016
During this very difficult time your family is in my prayers. Continue to meditate on the beautiful promises found in God's word! Very soon God's Kingdom will bring all of these about!
December 29, 2015
Iam very sorry for your loss. We can confidently look to the future when God, the giver of life will bury death forever. What a blessing it will be when we can rightly ask: Death, where is your victory? Death where is your sting? 1 Corinthians 15:55.
Jose
December 29, 2015
Deepest condolences to the Camillus family. During this time of mourning, may you find comfort from God's word that says He will "make you strong, He will firmly ground you." (1 Peter 5:10)
N. Deas
December 29, 2015
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 119:76.
December 28, 2015
I am deeply sorry for the loss of your husband. May caring thoughts and loving words comfort your family through this difficult time. (John 11:40-44)
December 28, 2015
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