Morante, Paul F.

Description

Paul F. Morante was born in New York September 30,1922 to Dominick and Rose Larussell Morante.

In Rye his family lived at 46 Purchase Street. Paul was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1940. In school he was very active in clubs and ran varsity track for three years. Paul was a student at the University of Virginia when he registered for the draft on June 30 1942.

He enlisted and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

After the war, Paul worked for many years as a social worker. Upon his retirement he became a crossing guard at Midland School.

Paul F. Morante died in Rye on December 24, 1991, the below was Published October 21,1991, two months before his death.

ODE TO CROSSING GUARD: The following is an ode to ‘ Midland School crossing guard ‘Paul Morante written by school Superintendent Barry Farnham.

Ode to Paul Morante

Paul Morante our crossing guard was 68 years old
He’d worked at his post for as long it seems as a miner panning for gold
Through wind and rain and cold and snow And on every sunny day
our crossing guard was always there to guide us along our way
His friendly face withered but tanned
his body stooped as his post he manned
Daily away the hours he wiled
assuring safe passage of every child
The only day that he wasn’t there
where he was supposed to be
we learned he’d fallen and hurt himself
and wouldn’t be there at three
The next day we sent “Get Well” cards to the man we’d no longer see
Our special friend of the last eight years
crossing guard Paul Morante