Paul Petricone, 85, Was Musician, Ran Beauty Salon

Paul Petricone of Sengekontacket in Oak Bluffs died unexpectedly Monday evening, April 17, at the Martha's Vineyard Community Hospital. He was 85.

Paul was the husband of Eleanor (Rossetti) Petricone and the son of Anthony and Teresa (Meile) Petricone. He was born in Gaeta, Italy, on Sept. 9, 1920, and emigrated with his parents to the United States when he was seven.

They settled in Somerville and he was graduated from Somerville High School. During the Depression he worked at the Fore Rivers Shipyard in Quincy to help support the family even though he was offered a musical scholarship to the conservatory. This also gave rise to the nickname the Silent Soldier, because he was exempt from enlisting in the service during World War II. The job also had its drawbacks in that it caused him great suffering and lung damage from the air that he breathed while welding the steel hulls, which eventually forced him to quit.

Afterward he met his future wife, Eleanor. Together they rented a beauty salon in West Medford and named it after their son, Paul Anton. They lived in Arlington in their dream home for 23 years and moved their shop to Boston, in Government Center and also the Parker House. They then moved to a historical house in Cambridge, and their family grew to three with the addition of Marc and Neil. They vacationed on Martha's Vineyard for 50 years, building a house on Sengekontacket 25 years ago, which they rented for a time before it became their permanent home in 1995.

Paul was a gifted and talented musician; with his own band, he played jazz and swing venues in Boston and surrounding areas earlier in his life. It was a trait that was passed down to his sons.

Paul is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eleanor Petricone; his three sons, Paul A. Petricone of West Tisbury, Marc S. Petricone of Vineyard Haven and Neil J. Petricone of Cambridge; three grandchildren, Marco, Ava and Sandra; a brother, Arthur Petricone of Piermont, N.Y.; and two sisters, Mary Major of South Yarmouth and Constance Percoco of Tampa, Fla.

All are welcome to a reception at the family home at 2 Sengekontacket Road in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, April 23 from 2 to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Martha's Vineyard Arena, Inc., P.O. Box 2062, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home. Please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.