Our hero, Paul Joseph Vesco, died October 11, 2017 at the age of 90 after a truly wonderful life. A lifelong Northern Nevadan, Paul was born to immigrant parents, Jo and Lillian Vesco. He enlisted in the Navy at 16 during WWII, and found himself on the cleanup crew after the atomic bomb in Nagasaki bay.
When he returned from the war, he met and married Rene Marie O ‘Doan in Carlin, Nevada. They knew each other only four months when they married. Paul and Rene settled in Winnemucca and started a family. They built, by hand, the iconic Kreme Cone out of railroad ties and used lumber. After 35 years of owning restaurants, they sold them and Paul ran for mayor. Little did anyone know he would be the mayor of Winnemucca for almost two decades and have the city park named after him when he finally retired at age 78. He also was a volunteer fireman for 36 years.
At age 45, Paul was diagnosed with a rare sinus cancer possibly caused by the radiation exposure during the war. Over the next 40 years, he received over 30 operations and treatments. Amazingly, he took his medical condition in stride often going directly to his beloved garage right as he returned from a surgery.
He is survived by his bride of 65 years, Rene; his brother, Jack; his children Monica, Teresa, and Chris; and their loving families. His siblings Robert, Arlene, and his children Jeanne and Paul Jr. are deceased.
Funeral will be held in Winnemucca, Nevada. Date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please do something kind for a senior. Condolences for the family can be left at www.simplycremationaz.com.
