Clyde’s Corner

Paul Spadafore: This local businessman lived well, laughed often

by Clyde Whitaker

Hello, everyone! Stop and think about how many people touched your life as you were growing up, helping to shape the person you would become. I was lucky and had many, many people in my life who helped to keep me on the straight and narrow.

One who stands out to me was Paul Spadafore Sr. Always a smile on his face and the greatest belly laugh you would ever hear!

Paul was born Feb. 16, 1905, in St. Ippolito, Italy. When he was 12 years old, Paul traveled to the United States with his father. They landed on Ellis Island, eventually settling in Flint, Michigan.

While in Flint, Paul worked two jobs, delivering newspapers in the morning and in the afternoon working in an ice cream factory. Eventually, Paul met Jennie Fabiano and after dating for a while, they were married on Feb. 11, 1926. They enjoyed their life together for the next 75 years.

Paul and Jennie raised four children: Josephine, Catherine, Paul and Frank. They experienced sorrow in their lives when they lost their daughter Catherine at the age of 5 from brain tumor complications.

Paul completed school through the eighth grade, then he left to pursue his life’s work. Paul and Jennie purchased their first store in Flushing for $750, including inventory. After a year there, they decided to look elsewhere to do business.

Visiting Stockbridge on one of their outings, they fell in love with the people and the town. They purchased a building and opened a produce store in Stockbridge in 1928.

It was right around 1940 that Paul installed a soda fountain, along with tables and chairs, and called it The Sweet Shop. Many kids in the area enjoyed the ice cream, the jukebox and just hanging out there.

Years later, Paul and Jennie purchased several other buildings, eventually establishing the Spadafore Food Market.

I was fortunate enough to work with Paul at the food market after my sport practices in high school, stocking shelves and helping carry out groceries for customers. Working alongside Paul was a joy. Paul had a laugh like no other. It was a full, deep belly laugh that always made you feel better and made you laugh as well.

Paul and Jennie always were seen together, with Paul “SLOWLY” driving somewhere in their Cadillac. You just knew if you came up on a long line of cars, that sure enough, Paul was leading the way.

After a long and successful life, Paul passed away on Nov. 10, 2000, at the age of 95.

Hard to believe you have been gone 25 years, Paul. Gone, but I will never forget you, or the grace and humility that you showed everyone.

I want to close with something that your son, Frank, read at your funeral.

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” If that is true, Paul, you made a great life!

Photos provided by Connie Spadafore.

Paul Spadafore (left) with an unidentified person in The Sweet Shop.

Jennie Spadafore (left), Genevieve McDonald (center) and Paul Spadafore in
The Sweet Shop in Stockbridge.

In this 1928 photo of Stockbridge, looking north, the Spadafores’ store is on the
left side by the Miller’s Ice Cream sign.

The Stockbridge Town Square in the early 1900s, with the Hotel Ingham
across the way.

Clyde Whitaker is a 1973 Stockbridge graduate. He and his wife, Mary, raised four children in Stockbridge, and they still reside in the Stockbridge area.