Paolo Bertolozzi

1935 - 2021

Paolo Bertolozzi

Poughkeepsie - Paolo Bertolozzi, 85, of Poughkeepsie passed away March 6, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.

Paolo was born July 17th, 1935 in Lucca, Italy, the son of Pietro Bertolozzi and Bruna Angeli. He came to the US in 1948 with his mother and three brothers, Dante, Luigi & Mario to join their father who left Italy in 1938. His sister, Anna, was later born in 1949.

Paolo attended local schools and graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1953. He studied accordion at the Pietro Accordion Conservatory in NYC and became an accredited American Accordion Association teacher in 1957. He was an accomplished classical accordionist and in 1953, he won a bronze medal at the US Accordion Championship.

In 1957, he was drafted into the US Army and assigned to the Southern European Task Force in Leghorn, Italy. While there, he met his wife Raffaella and they were married in 1959. Raffaella's uncle, Father Samuele Tognarelli, officiated at the wedding.

In returning to civilian life, he went to work at Marine Midland Bank as a teller. He eventually retired in 1991 as VP in charge of branch administration covering 26 branches in a five county area. During his banking career, he served in many organizations including Pleasant Valley Chamber of Commerce, Central Dutchess Rotary, Arlington Rotary and the City of Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Preservation Loan Committee. He earned many awards including man of the year at the Pleasant Valley Chamber of Commerce, Rotarian of the year and was a Paul Harris Fellow.

He loved bowling and bowled several 700 series while also winning singles events. In addition, he took up golf in retirement and achieved a hole in one at College Hill Golf Course. He also was an accomplished stained glass artist creating many one of a kind pieces. He enjoyed gardening and his fig tree was his pride and joy. He took great joy in sharing his figs with his many friends and family.

Above all, he loved his family. He was a dedicated husband, loving father, wonderful nonno and nonno Paolo. He is survived by his wife Raffaella Bertolozzi, daughters Paula Drozenski and husband Stanley, Josephine Cioppa and husband Andrew and son Marco Bertolozzi. He is also survived by grandchildren, Alissa, Jennifer and husband Keith, Briana, Erica and Julia, great grandson, Hunter and step grandson, Nicholas.

Paolo is also survived by his brothers, Mario and Luigi (and wife Silvana) and Dante's wife (Rosanna) as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister Anna Bertolozzi, brother Dante Bertolozzi and Lida Bertolozzi (wife of Mario).

Due to COVID pandemic, the family will have a private service at the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 218 Mill St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital.

To send the family an online condolence or sympathy card please visit our website at www.torsonememorial.com