Paul J. LaPuzza

Paul J. LaPuzza

May 30, 1948 – May 30, 2021

Preceded in death by devoted wife, Mary (Classen) LaPuzza; parents, Anthony and Elaine LaPuzza; beloved aunts and uncles.  Survived by son, Mark LaPuzza (Amanda); daughter, Tracey Wiemer (Justin); grandsons, Tony LaPuzza, Lucas Wiemer.

VISITATION: Thursday, June 3rd from 4pm to 6pm at the West Center Chapel followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 6pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, May 4th at 10:30am at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 11802 Pacific Street.  Interment: Calvary Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to Creighton University School of Law.

To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click on the “View Live Cast” button on our home page.

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Paul James LaPuzza passed away on May 30, 2021. It was his 73rd birthday.

Paul was born in Omaha, Nebraska on May 30, 1948, to parents Anton “Tony” LaPuzza and Elaine Fitzsenry.  Tony was a first-generation Italian American and served proudly as a B-17 radio operator in World War II.  Elaine was a farm girl from Breda, Iowa, who moved to Omaha after high school.  The two married after the war and raised Paul in the Omaha suburb of Irvington, Nebraska.

An only child, he was raised in the extended Italian family and was close to his aunts and uncles.  He attended Benson High School and was a proud Benson Bunny.  Paul was a passionate member of both Army ROTC and the Debate Team in high school and continued in those pursuits while attending Creighton University’s College of Business.  He joined the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity at Creighton, where many of his brothers became lifelong friends.  After graduating from Creighton, he continued on to the Creighton University School of Law, pursuing a childhood dream of becoming an attorney.  While his love of the law may have been discovered watching Perry Mason, family friend and mentor Peter Marchetti gave him the opportunity and practical experience to prove to Paul that the law was his calling.

Following graduation, and his honorable discharge from the US Army, Paul began his own firm from his room in his parents’ house in Irvington.  Eventually, he joined lifelong friend Tom Young to create Young & LaPuzza, founding the firm where he spent the majority of his practice.  Paul’s experience grew in the practice of real estate law – a field in which his expertise was well known and respected among his contemporaries.  Paul prided himself on always giving free counsel to any attorney who called with a question or in need of advice.  Paul’s legal instincts, always direct advice, and quick wit gained him a devoted group of clients, a countless number of which became friends.  When he retired in 2011, he wrote to his clients, proudly proclaiming that he had “the best clients in the world.” 

Paul’s wife, Mary Classen, moved to Omaha from Humphrey, Nebraska to study and become a Registered Nurse.  The two met on St. Patrick’s Day, and celebrated the anniversary of their first date throughout a marriage that spanned the better part of 5 decades.  They built a life together in Omaha, raising son Mark and daughter Tracey.  Paul and Mary worked hard to provide the best for their children, but no gift they offered was more valuable than the example of kindness, strength, and dedication they served to be.  The children stayed in Omaha and married, with Mark and his wife Amanda giving Paul and Mary their first grandson, Tony, in 2010.  Tracey and her husband Justin Wiemer made Paul a grandfather again in 2019 with the birth of Lucas.  Paul also developed a strong affection for Tracey’s dog Lily – a 3-pound maltase-poodle mix – that was always sure to draw a smile from him.

After his devoted wife Mary passed away in 2011, Paul found himself living at Hillcrest Country Estates in Papillion.  While his years in retirement were far less hectic than his work as a lawyer, he kept up with friends and family whenever he could.  He always appreciated those friends and family that were able to visit – particularly if they came bearing a LaCasa pizza or Krispy Kreme donuts.

His age did nothing to diminish his dedication to his most beloved sports teams.  Paul was a true fanatic when it came to Nebraska Cornhusker football, following every snap of every season and eager to discuss his beloved Huskers.  He was also a great fan of the New York Yankees, with his father’s stories of Babe Ruth making him a lifelong fan from Mantle to Mattingly to Mariano.  He closely followed the basketball and baseball teams for Creighton and would often be seen wearing his Blue Jay gear in all seasons.

Paul is survived by his children, grandchildren, extended family, and countless friends.  Those that knew him are left with fond memories and countless great stories.  Paul will be remembered by all for this sharp mind and sharp wit, as well as a strength of character and of will that served as an example to all.

He will be greatly missed and remembered lovingly by those he left behind.

 

 

8 Comments

  • Pat and Cindy Curry Posted June 2, 2021 6:55 am

    So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you.

  • Bob Rebecca Posted June 2, 2021 9:18 am

    Mark, Tracy and families, so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

  • Clyde R. Lincoln Posted June 2, 2021 9:21 am

    Paul was one of my social studies students at Benson High School in the 1960s. I recall him as a bright young man whose ambition was to become a lawyer, and he did. I am so sorry for his family’s loss. My prayers are with all of you.

  • Jennie Young Posted June 3, 2021 9:04 pm

    Mark, Tracy, and your families, sorry to here about the loss of your dad. I have many fond memories of Paul and Mary. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Shirley Wiedel Posted June 4, 2021 11:29 am

    Mark and Tracy I’m so sorry about the loss of your dad. I knew your dad when he was in college, studying law. I am blessed to have so many fond memories of him which will last a lifetime. I’m so glad he had such a happy life, family, children and grandchildren. His life wasn’t always easy but he never lost his sense of humor. He will be missed.

  • Ellie Delgado Posted June 11, 2021 11:40 am

    Mark and Tracy, I’m so sorry for your loss. I knew Paul when I worked in Hillcrest in 2018. I am so blessed that I got to meet Paul. He was an amazing person. I will never forget the memories I had while taking care of Paul. He will be missed and loved.

  • Ken Bunger Posted June 14, 2021 9:34 am

    Paul and I were friends at Benson, and very active in ROTC. From which I used to give him a ride home to Irvington. We maintained a personal friendship throughout our legal careers. Paul was super smart, ,had a dry wit and always ready to assist others..

  • Gary L. Fischer Posted June 14, 2021 4:44 pm

    Mark, Tracy and family:
    Your father was always kind and helpful to me in my law practice. While we were alway miles apart in our politics (about which we would joke) and my poor clients with civil rights and housing issues were often at odds with the interests he represented he never hesitated to share his wise counsel with me. He was a lawyer’s lawyer. My deepest sympathy for your loss and many thanks for your father’s kindness towards me..

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