Paul Angelo Bello, Sr.

Paul Angelo Bello

May 28, 1957 - December 27, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Angelo Bello, loving son, dedicated husband, father, grandfather, partner, colleague and friend, on December 27, 2024. As one friend recently described him, "He is the kindest human being I know."

Born 1957 in Brooklyn, New York to Frances and John Bello, Paul was raised in Douglaston, Queens where he made life-long friends.

Following high school at Chaminade, he began his higher education at Fairfield University in 1975 and continued at Polytechnic Institute of New York as he pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation he began his career as a Professional Engineer at Syska & Hennessy in Manhattan.

In September 1982, he married his best friend Jean and together they bought their first home in July of 1983 in White Plains where they raised three sons - John, Paul and Peter - and where they have lived ever since. Paul always cherished his Park Circle neighborhood where neighbors became family.

In 1989, Paul left Syska & Hennessy to join a handful of others at the start-up firm of Atkinson Koven Feinberg. He was quickly promoted to partner and later to Managing Partner in 1997. Under his management over the next 20 years, the firm grew to more than 400 employees in 13 offices throughout the East Coast, Midwest and Mexico. He served on the board of the American Council of Engineering Companies, including as Chair, and on the ACE Mentor Program of Greater New York.

Paul's demanding work schedule did not keep him from being involved in his sons' activities as they were growing up. He coached two travel soccer teams, as well as an intramural ice hockey team and rarely missed any of his boys' practices or games. He also served on the White Plains Youth Soccer Board for several years, including as President.

In January 2023, Paul transitioned to Partner Emeritus and fully retired from AKF in April 2023, to spend more time with his growing family, enjoy the sun and sea at his second home in Seaside Park and pursue his love of travel.

Paul is most happy when surrounded by family and friends and thrilled to be called PopPop by his nine grandchildren.

He is survived by Jean, his wife of 42 years; his sons and daughters-in-law John and Katie, Paul and Kate, Peter and Robin; grandchildren Emma, Brian, Colin, Samuel, Cooper, Declan, Henry, Jacob, Liam; his mother Frances Bello; brothers and sisters-in-law Robert and Candice Bello, John and Elysia Bello; dear in-laws Anne (James) Bretones, John Lolis, Rosemarie Lolis, Leonard (Charlene) Lolis; countless nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends - too many to mention but how he loved you all.

Visitation will take place Monday, December 30, 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm, at Ballard-Durand Funeral Home in White Plains, NY. The funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in White Plains at 10 am on December 31.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Meals on Wheels of White Plains, Feeding Westchester or White Plains Beautification Foundation.