Obituary for Paul Harding Ensogna Sr.
Paul Harding Ensogna, Sr., a longtime resident of Winchester and most recently a resident of The Willows in Winchester, VA, since 2014, died peacefully on April 22, 2019, at the age of 95. Paul was born in Winchester, VA, April 7, 1924, to Samuel and Mildred White Ensogna, deceased. He was married to Mary Josephine Tammetta of Providence, Rhode Island, November 1943, while serving in the Navy as a crew member of a PBY plane since spring of 1941. Paul attended Handley High School prior to entering the service at the age of 17. After his discharge in 1945, the family moved to Providence for several months before returning to Winchester where they eventually settled and raised their family of four children. His wife Mary, of 67 years, preceded him in death in 2010. He is predeceased by his siblings, Gabriel Ensogna, Marie Stickle and Louise Lewis.
Surviving are his four children: Samuel John Ensogna and wife Faith, Paul Ensogna, Jr, and wife Alice, Gina Ensogna, and Teresa Ensogna Smelser and husband Robert, all of Winchester. His grandchildren are Brian Ensogna and wife Rebecca of Virginia Beach, Paul Andrew Ensogna Sr and wife Jennifer, of Winchester, Natalie Ensogna White and husband Mitch White of Charleston, South Carolina, Paul Ensogna III and wife Holly, John Anthony Ensogna and wife Mary Colleen, Samuel Thomas Ensogna and wife Lisa, Joshua Solenberger and wife Ann of Winchester, Benjamin Solenberger of Los Angeles, California, Daniel Solenberger and wife Adelaide, Jeffery Solenberger II and Joel Solenberger, and Hannah Solenberger, all of the Winchester area. Great-grandchildren are Parker and Aidan Ensogna of Virginia Beach, Tanner, Simon and Emma Shultz of SC, Paul Andrew II and Abigail Ensogna, Hudson Solenberger, Luke, Rocco, Dax, and John Marco Ensogna all of Winchester. There are also many nieces and nephews, their spouses and children who were very close to Paul.
Paul will be remembered for his strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. Working 12 hour days, 6 days a week, he created a very successful electrical business, Blue and Gray Electric, which was first established in 1954. Working out of his basement in the 1950s, he and Mary opened their first lamp shop in the mid-1960s, and it grew larger with each move, culminating in the Blue and Gray Mall. Through the years, all of his children and several grandchildren worked for him and his wife at many points in time in multiple businesses that he started ranging from Colonial Flowers and Gifts, to a clothing store, restaurant, and a pinball arcade. Paul Sr. retired in 2014 due to failing health issues and closed the lighting center. Tony (John Anthony), who began working for his grandfather in 1994, is proud to continue with the family electrical business to this day.
Paul was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and past president of the Knights of Columbus. He had a passion for building model ships and airplanes of various sizes, many from WW II era. A very large replica of his PBY graced his workshop.
A memorial service will be held at Jones Funeral Home Chapel, 228 S. Pleasant Valley Road, Winchester, VA, on Monday, April 29,2019, at 11:00 AM. The military burial will be private at Mount Hebron Cemetery. Pallbearers are Brian Ensogna, Paul Andrew Ensogna Sr, Paul Ensogna III, John Anthony Ensogna, Samuel Thomas Ensogna, and Daniel Solenberger.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the local Salvation Army, a favorite charity that Paul supported for many years. A special thanks to the staff of the Willows, Willow Glen, and Blue Ridge Hospice for the loving comfort and personal care in his final days.
Surviving are his four children: Samuel John Ensogna and wife Faith, Paul Ensogna, Jr, and wife Alice, Gina Ensogna, and Teresa Ensogna Smelser and husband Robert, all of Winchester. His grandchildren are Brian Ensogna and wife Rebecca of Virginia Beach, Paul Andrew Ensogna Sr and wife Jennifer, of Winchester, Natalie Ensogna White and husband Mitch White of Charleston, South Carolina, Paul Ensogna III and wife Holly, John Anthony Ensogna and wife Mary Colleen, Samuel Thomas Ensogna and wife Lisa, Joshua Solenberger and wife Ann of Winchester, Benjamin Solenberger of Los Angeles, California, Daniel Solenberger and wife Adelaide, Jeffery Solenberger II and Joel Solenberger, and Hannah Solenberger, all of the Winchester area. Great-grandchildren are Parker and Aidan Ensogna of Virginia Beach, Tanner, Simon and Emma Shultz of SC, Paul Andrew II and Abigail Ensogna, Hudson Solenberger, Luke, Rocco, Dax, and John Marco Ensogna all of Winchester. There are also many nieces and nephews, their spouses and children who were very close to Paul.
Paul will be remembered for his strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. Working 12 hour days, 6 days a week, he created a very successful electrical business, Blue and Gray Electric, which was first established in 1954. Working out of his basement in the 1950s, he and Mary opened their first lamp shop in the mid-1960s, and it grew larger with each move, culminating in the Blue and Gray Mall. Through the years, all of his children and several grandchildren worked for him and his wife at many points in time in multiple businesses that he started ranging from Colonial Flowers and Gifts, to a clothing store, restaurant, and a pinball arcade. Paul Sr. retired in 2014 due to failing health issues and closed the lighting center. Tony (John Anthony), who began working for his grandfather in 1994, is proud to continue with the family electrical business to this day.
Paul was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and past president of the Knights of Columbus. He had a passion for building model ships and airplanes of various sizes, many from WW II era. A very large replica of his PBY graced his workshop.
A memorial service will be held at Jones Funeral Home Chapel, 228 S. Pleasant Valley Road, Winchester, VA, on Monday, April 29,2019, at 11:00 AM. The military burial will be private at Mount Hebron Cemetery. Pallbearers are Brian Ensogna, Paul Andrew Ensogna Sr, Paul Ensogna III, John Anthony Ensogna, Samuel Thomas Ensogna, and Daniel Solenberger.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the local Salvation Army, a favorite charity that Paul supported for many years. A special thanks to the staff of the Willows, Willow Glen, and Blue Ridge Hospice for the loving comfort and personal care in his final days.