Paul E. Iacono

On August 29, 2013 Paul E. Iacono of Rolling Hills, CA. passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family. The son of Ciro and Ines Iacono, Paul was born August 12, 1924 in San Pedro, CA. He attended San Pedro High School and was on the varsity track team and became known for breaking many new records for track and field. On May 29, 1941, in one of the greatest races in Marine League history, Paul ran against Torrance's Gerald Mac Donald in a 880-yard meet that ended in a tie with the time of 1:59.5 that set new school and new league records. Later, running at the L.A. Coliseum as part of the Marine League, Paul helped win the two-mile relay and establish a new national track record. Paul's wins earned him a track scholarship to USC. Paul co-captained the USC track team who were the 1944 Pacific Coast Conference Champions in the 440 and 880. Paul received a B.S. Civil Engineering from USC, subsequently served as Construction Engineer for the U.S. Navy in the Philippines during WWII. After the war, he worked for several engineering firms including the City of Los Angeles Public Works. Once a licensed Civil Engineer, he started his own professional practice and by age 30 he became the only licensed Structural Engineer in the South Bay area. His Structural Engineering accomplishments include Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, the nationally famous Marineland of the Pacific and Marineland Sky Tower, and Willow Grove Park Lanes also known when built as the "Bowling Palace of the World". He was involved in numerous partnerships and eventually became a Design-Build Contractor specializing in Mausoleums, Auto Dealerships, and the development of light industrial buildings in the Bay Area. Notable cemeteries include, Green Hills Memorial Park, All Souls, Holy Cross, and Santa Barbara Cemetery which earned him the Most Beautiful Cemetery Award. Notably Paul built over 600 Auto Dealerships including Scott Robinson Honda, Mercedes South Bay Autohaus, the Cecil L. Thomas & Sons Automobile Agency, and Reynold C. Johnson Volkswagen Distribution Center. With all his Design-Build, Paul was known for his innovative engineering concepts and creative and modernist design work. Moreover, he was a Member of the USC Dean Circle and USC Associates School of Engineering and trained numerous young engineers. Paul was preceded in death by his loving wife Rose and his son, Robert Paul Iacono. He is survived by his daughter, Jeanne Maree Martin, daughter in law, Grace Oh Iacono, four grandchildren, Loyd W. Martin (Ling), Paula T. Aycock (Bill), Robert Hunter Iacono, Julia Rose, five great grandchildren, Rebecca-Rose, Rosabella Grace, Jeannie-Rose, Priscilla-Rose, Elaina-Rose. A Viewing will be held at McNerney's Mortuary on Thursday, September 5, between 3 – 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass with viewing will be offered on Saturday, September 7, 2013, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Mary Star of the Sea Church in San Pedro followed by entombment at Green Hills Memorial Park.