PAUL M. BIKO
1950 - 2022
OBITUARY
Paul M. Biko, 72, Dunmore, died Monday, Aug. 29, in Geisinger-Community Medical Center in Scranton. His wife is the former Carmel Ann Verrastro.
Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Charles and Mary Gaeton Biko. Paul was a graduate of Cathedral High School, where he excelled in basketball and then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering from Bucknell University and a master's degree in education from the University of Scranton.
Paul was a larger-than-life figure to his family and friends, but also to the community at large.
He was a teacher, engineer, business leader and basketball icon. After his playing career ended, he coached with longtime friend and mentor, the famous Jimmy Valvano. Jimmy V, as he was known, went on to write a famous book with an entire chapter dedicated to Paul as one of the best basketball players he had ever coached. Although his official basketball coaching days may have ended, he continued to be a life coach to every person he came in contact with. As an entrepreneur, he created many successful businesses and created opportunities and wealth for so many over the years, but being called Poppy and spending time with his grandchildren made him the happiest!
Paul leaves behind a large and loving family. He is survived by his wife, Carmel Ann Verrastro-Biko of Dunmore; two children, Leonard Biko of Landenberg; Maura Whetsel and her husband Andrew Whetsel of Dunmore; five grandchildren, Harper, Skylar and Rocco Biko; the children of his son Leonard Biko and their mother Shannon Biko; Caden and Clara Whetsel; the children of his daughter Maura and her husband Andrew Whetsel.
He also is survived by his three sisters, Joanne Smith, Linda Mills and Maureen O'Shea; and his brother, Charles Biko; sister-in-law, Vita Masucci and husband Richard; brother-in-law, Dominic Verrasto and wife Barbara; and several nieces and nephews.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother and father, his best friend and mentor, Jim Valvano, as well as his nephew, Brian O'Shea.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith Street, in Dunmore. Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., in Dunmore from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass.
At the family's request, please no suits or ties. Paul would want us to celebrate his life as he did, "business casual."
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Cats and Dogs of Nay Aug Zoo, 1900 E. Gibson St., Scranton 18510, or to the animal shelter of your choice.
To send the family an online condolence, visit www.NEPAfuneralhome.com.
Published by Scranton Times from Sep. 7 to Sep. 8, 2022.
Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc.
318 East Drinker Street
Dunmore, PA
Visitation
Sep. 17, 2022
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home
1950 - 2022
OBITUARY
Paul M. Biko, 72, Dunmore, died Monday, Aug. 29, in Geisinger-Community Medical Center in Scranton. His wife is the former Carmel Ann Verrastro.
Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Charles and Mary Gaeton Biko. Paul was a graduate of Cathedral High School, where he excelled in basketball and then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering from Bucknell University and a master's degree in education from the University of Scranton.
Paul was a larger-than-life figure to his family and friends, but also to the community at large.
He was a teacher, engineer, business leader and basketball icon. After his playing career ended, he coached with longtime friend and mentor, the famous Jimmy Valvano. Jimmy V, as he was known, went on to write a famous book with an entire chapter dedicated to Paul as one of the best basketball players he had ever coached. Although his official basketball coaching days may have ended, he continued to be a life coach to every person he came in contact with. As an entrepreneur, he created many successful businesses and created opportunities and wealth for so many over the years, but being called Poppy and spending time with his grandchildren made him the happiest!
Paul leaves behind a large and loving family. He is survived by his wife, Carmel Ann Verrastro-Biko of Dunmore; two children, Leonard Biko of Landenberg; Maura Whetsel and her husband Andrew Whetsel of Dunmore; five grandchildren, Harper, Skylar and Rocco Biko; the children of his son Leonard Biko and their mother Shannon Biko; Caden and Clara Whetsel; the children of his daughter Maura and her husband Andrew Whetsel.
He also is survived by his three sisters, Joanne Smith, Linda Mills and Maureen O'Shea; and his brother, Charles Biko; sister-in-law, Vita Masucci and husband Richard; brother-in-law, Dominic Verrasto and wife Barbara; and several nieces and nephews.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother and father, his best friend and mentor, Jim Valvano, as well as his nephew, Brian O'Shea.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith Street, in Dunmore. Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., in Dunmore from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass.
At the family's request, please no suits or ties. Paul would want us to celebrate his life as he did, "business casual."
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Cats and Dogs of Nay Aug Zoo, 1900 E. Gibson St., Scranton 18510, or to the animal shelter of your choice.
To send the family an online condolence, visit www.NEPAfuneralhome.com.
Published by Scranton Times from Sep. 7 to Sep. 8, 2022.
Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc.
318 East Drinker Street
Dunmore, PA
Visitation
Sep. 17, 2022
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home
PAUL M. BIKO
1950 - 2022
OBITUARY
Paul M. Biko, 72, Dunmore, died Monday, Aug. 29, in Geisinger-Community Medical Center in Scranton. His wife is the former Carmel Ann Verrastro.
Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Charles and Mary Gaeton Biko. Paul was a graduate of Cathedral High School, where he excelled in basketball and then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering from Bucknell University and a master's degree in education from the University of Scranton.
Paul was a larger-than-life figure to his family and friends, but also to the community at large.
He was a teacher, engineer, business leader and basketball icon. After his playing career ended, he coached with longtime friend and mentor, the famous Jimmy Valvano. Jimmy V, as he was known, went on to write a famous book with an entire chapter dedicated to Paul as one of the best basketball players he had ever coached. Although his official basketball coaching days may have ended, he continued to be a life coach to every person he came in contact with. As an entrepreneur, he created many successful businesses and created opportunities and wealth for so many over the years, but being called Poppy and spending time with his grandchildren made him the happiest!
Paul leaves behind a large and loving family. He is survived by his wife, Carmel Ann Verrastro-Biko of Dunmore; two children, Leonard Biko of Landenberg; Maura Whetsel and her husband Andrew Whetsel of Dunmore; five grandchildren, Harper, Skylar and Rocco Biko; the children of his son Leonard Biko and their mother Shannon Biko; Caden and Clara Whetsel; the children of his daughter Maura and her husband Andrew Whetsel.
He also is survived by his three sisters, Joanne Smith, Linda Mills and Maureen O'Shea; and his brother, Charles Biko; sister-in-law, Vita Masucci and husband Richard; brother-in-law, Dominic Verrasto and wife Barbara; and several nieces and nephews.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother and father, his best friend and mentor, Jim Valvano, as well as his nephew, Brian O'Shea.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith Street, in Dunmore. Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., in Dunmore from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass.
At the family's request, please no suits or ties. Paul would want us to celebrate his life as he did, "business casual."
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Cats and Dogs of Nay Aug Zoo, 1900 E. Gibson St., Scranton 18510, or to the animal shelter of your choice.
To send the family an online condolence, visit www.NEPAfuneralhome.com.
Published by Scranton Times from Sep. 7 to Sep. 8, 2022.
Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc.
318 East Drinker Street
Dunmore, PA
Visitation
Sep. 17, 2022
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home
1950 - 2022
OBITUARY
Paul M. Biko, 72, Dunmore, died Monday, Aug. 29, in Geisinger-Community Medical Center in Scranton. His wife is the former Carmel Ann Verrastro.
Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Charles and Mary Gaeton Biko. Paul was a graduate of Cathedral High School, where he excelled in basketball and then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering from Bucknell University and a master's degree in education from the University of Scranton.
Paul was a larger-than-life figure to his family and friends, but also to the community at large.
He was a teacher, engineer, business leader and basketball icon. After his playing career ended, he coached with longtime friend and mentor, the famous Jimmy Valvano. Jimmy V, as he was known, went on to write a famous book with an entire chapter dedicated to Paul as one of the best basketball players he had ever coached. Although his official basketball coaching days may have ended, he continued to be a life coach to every person he came in contact with. As an entrepreneur, he created many successful businesses and created opportunities and wealth for so many over the years, but being called Poppy and spending time with his grandchildren made him the happiest!
Paul leaves behind a large and loving family. He is survived by his wife, Carmel Ann Verrastro-Biko of Dunmore; two children, Leonard Biko of Landenberg; Maura Whetsel and her husband Andrew Whetsel of Dunmore; five grandchildren, Harper, Skylar and Rocco Biko; the children of his son Leonard Biko and their mother Shannon Biko; Caden and Clara Whetsel; the children of his daughter Maura and her husband Andrew Whetsel.
He also is survived by his three sisters, Joanne Smith, Linda Mills and Maureen O'Shea; and his brother, Charles Biko; sister-in-law, Vita Masucci and husband Richard; brother-in-law, Dominic Verrasto and wife Barbara; and several nieces and nephews.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother and father, his best friend and mentor, Jim Valvano, as well as his nephew, Brian O'Shea.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith Street, in Dunmore. Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., in Dunmore from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass.
At the family's request, please no suits or ties. Paul would want us to celebrate his life as he did, "business casual."
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Cats and Dogs of Nay Aug Zoo, 1900 E. Gibson St., Scranton 18510, or to the animal shelter of your choice.
To send the family an online condolence, visit www.NEPAfuneralhome.com.
Published by Scranton Times from Sep. 7 to Sep. 8, 2022.
Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc.
318 East Drinker Street
Dunmore, PA
Visitation
Sep. 17, 2022
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home
