Paul Anthony Spinnato

Paul Anthony Spinnato of Branford died at his home November 2, 2011. He leaves his wife, the former Judith DeMezza, his daughter Vanessa, sons Paul Jeffrey and his wife, Maureen Frear, Lawrence and his wife, Elizabeth Folz and Randal and his wife, June Biro. Also 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. In his early years he played violin with the New Haven Junior Symphony under the direction of Harry Berman and also ushered at the old Poli Theatre. Creative and inventive, his natural talent surfaced when at thirteen he built a model coach of the Fisher Body trade mark which won the State of Connecticut prize in a General Motors competition. The coach was placed on exhibit at the New York World's Fair. An adroit fencer, he won many medals in the sport he loved. Coming out of college he worked as a draftsman in Snow and Nabsted and then as an engineer in the State Highway Department designing the Merritt Parkway bridges. Born and educated in New Haven, Paul entered the US Air Force in 1942 as a 2nd Lieutenant out of the ROTC at Yale University and, while training in the states, he noticed that gunners were being seriously injured by Caliber 50 machine guns that were jamming. He immediately set to work after hours and invented a device that corrected the jamming. Sent to Debach, England, he worked on the staff of Generals Curtis LeMay and Jimmy Doolittle as group armament officer in the Air Force Field Research in charge of all armament for 4 squadrons of 8 officers and 300 men. Working far into the night, his beloved violin his constant companion, he invented a bomb-loading machine and the first remote control bombing system for formation bombing. A series of remote control circuits followed, greatly increasing accuracy in saturation bombing in planes flying in formation over targeted areas. Awarded the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit Award, his rank was raised to Major as he won praise and admiration of both Generals. Refusing tempting offers from the Air Force to stay in research, he opted to start his own business with the help of his father, the late Lorenzo Spinnato. As founder and President of PEL, Inc., he, and later his three sons, operated it for the past 60 years. A member of the Knights of Columbus he designed and funded an extension on their old building. He was also a member of the Business and Professional Investment Group, rode with the Governor's Horse Guard and, with a partner, created a hybrid jeep which ran, much to their excitement. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial mass November 17, 2011 at 10am in St. Michael's Church 29 Wooster Place New Haven, CT. There will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.