Maurice J. "Mo" Paterniti

Maurice J." Mo" Paterniti, 82, of Jamestown, passed away on Tuesday August 5, 2025, in UPMC Chautauqua.

Maurice was born on October 6, 1942, in Jamestown, a son of the late Joseph and Constance Tilaro Paterniti.

Maurice spent his formative years being educated through the Jamestown School System, where he swam on the Jamestown High School Swim Team. In his youth, he loved to roller and ice skate, play baseball, and spend time at the Boys Club in Jamestown.

He attended and graduated from Doyle Beauty School in Buffalo. Following graduation from beauty school, he stayed in Buffalo and worked for Hengerer's Department Store as a beautician. Based on his beautician skills, he was sent to Clairol Advanced Color School in New York City. After he completed studying at the advanced school, we went to work for Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. While at Saks he styled models for Vogue Magazine and actresses from the soap opera Guiding Light before deciding to move back to the area he called home.

Upon his return to Jamestown, he spent 3 years working at Dorian's Plus Salon before buying his own salon in 1966 at 14 East Fourth Street in Jamestown. He successfully ran his own salon called Maurice's at that location for the next 56 years. COVID regulations temporarily closed the salon and eventually the decision was made to close the salon permanently and retire.

He founded a roller hockey league at Evan's Skate land and had 108 kids sign up the first year. Maurice was an official for roller and ice hockey from 1975 to 1985. Within those years he served as the supervisor for the Amateur Hockey Association for the United States (AHAUS). As a supervisor he was invited to be part of a committee to decide on a penalty for high sticking. He played a pivotal role by suggesting the 2 and 10 rule in hockey for high sticking, which is still enforced in hockey today even up to the NHL level. He also officiated the Nation Championship Series in St. Louis, Missouri where he was voted to work both the semifinals and finals.

He spent his adult years enjoying various outdoor activities with one of his greatest passions being swinging a golf club at local courses. He also loved to take his family and friends out on Chautauqua Lake with his boat every weekend weather permitting.

Nobody was a stranger to Mo. No matter where he went in Jamestown, he was a friendly face. He will be deeply missed by all of those who knew him.

Maurice is survived by his three children Holly (James) Gatto, Rick (Michelle ) Paterniti, Chris Paterniti: eleven grandchildren Nick and Jessica Gatto, Kristen Hill, Mike Hutley, Emily Miller, Ellie Paterniti, Lindsey , Mason Riley, Conner ,Colin Paterniti ; great grandchildren; Scarlett Gatto, Rowan Marsh, Mavyn, Caiden, Michaela Hutley, Parker ,Priscilla Monroe, Camryn Lether, Elliott, Ruby Paterniti and his nephew Joe (Kim) Paterniti to whom he was especially close.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter Amy Paterniti; a brother Joe "Pepsi" Paterniti; a nephew Dennis Paterniti and his dog Elvis which he had for 17 years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am Saturday in St. James Catholic Church.

Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Friends will be received from 4-7 pm Friday in the Lind Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Club Alumni Association.