Reginald Hugh De Paoli
Nov. 20, 1932 - June 26, 2012
Grandpa slipped away from this world in the early morning hours of June 26, 2012. He was prepared for his journey and after having expressed his love and after saying his farewells and offering some family guidance he went quietly to the other side where he said he would be waiting. He is greatly missed.
Reginald was born to Prospect natives Judith Borgna and Tony De Paoli on Nov. 20, 1932, joining brother Gerald De Paoli and sister Iris De Paoli Anxo. He attended Eureka, Nev., schools from grade 1 through grade 12, graduating high school with the class of 1950. Athletics were very important to Dad who participated in basketball, lettering 4 years, and football and track, lettering 3 years each. During his high school years, Reg helped Eureka win the 1949 State Basketball Championship, the 1950 Eastern Division Championship and State Basketball runner up in that year. He was selected to several all-tourney teams to include First Team All-State Basketball in both 1949 and 1950.
In 1950, Dad accepted a scholarship for education assistance in athletics to the University of Nevada, Reno where he participated in basketball, football and track. His main focus and love of the game was basketball and he earned and maintained the starting center position for the next three years. Reg lettered in basketball 3 years, 2 years in track and 1 year in football.
Reg was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and the ROTC program. After graduating from UNR in 1955 via ROTC, he entered the service training at Fort Benning, Ga. After completing the rigorous Ranger training, he served two years in the Korean Conflict. Upon discharge, Dad returned home to Eureka and married Mom, Gene Thompson Herrera, in 1961 and began our family. In 1962, Reg relocated to Battle Mountain, Nev., where he was employed by Duvall Corporation and later Battle Mountain Gold. It was Battle Mountain where Mom and Dad nurtured and educated their 5 boys; Tom Herrera, Ted Herrera, Tony DePaoli, Marty DePaoli and Geno DePaoli.
In 1992, after 27 years, Dad retired as Operations Manager of the Battle Mountain Gold Corporation's Battle Mountain Complex. Mom and Dad relocated to Reno in 2001, where Dad spent his time working every day in one unselfish act after another helping his children, grandchildren, family and friends. Dad loved his grandchildren, they were his life. He heaped love upon them, listened to them, dried their tears, laughed with them, bound their wounds, cleaned them, bathed them, watched over them, transported them, educated them, patted them on the heads when needed and disciplined their parents when he thought it appropriate. He took them hunting, fishing, camping and taught them basic survival in this world and how to be a man and how a real man loves his family. He is greatly missed.
Those mourning this great man include his beloved wife Gene De Paoli; his five children, Tom Herrera (wife Kady), Ted Herrera, Tony De Paoli (wife Lenni), Marty De Paoli (wife Kelly), and Geno De Paoli (wife Shere); his grandchildren, Nikoli De Paoli, Teddy Herrera, Dreu De Paoli, Dante De Paoli, Kristin DePaoli, Giovanni DePaoli, Dominic De Paoli, Leonardo De Paoli, Mia De Paoli, and Helena DePaoli; his brother Gerald De Paoli, his sister Iris Anxo; his extended beloved and loving family and his many cherished friends.
A Rosary, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:45 a.m., Saturday, July 7th, at Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church, 1138 Wright St. in Reno, Nev. A celebration of his life to follow with time and place to be given at the church.
The family invites you to share a condolence message in the Book of Memories at the website www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com.
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