John "Jack" Paz

1940 - 2025

John (Jack) Paz, 85, of Rome, NY, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025 after a very brief illness. He was born in Rome, NY, on June 6, 1940, son of the late Angeline Rossi and John Paz, Sr.  Jack attended Columbus School, and was a graduate of Rome Free Academy, Class of 1958.

Jack received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the State University of New York College of Education at Buffalo in 1962 and a Master of Science Degree in 1971 from the same college. He taught 5th and 6th grades at Clough Elementary School for 35 years, retiring in 1997. While a teacher, he was Secretary of the Rome Teachers Association from 1985-1995. He was chairman of the New York United Teachers Regional Educational Conference from 1989 -1997 held each fall in Utica. After retirement from Clough School he became active in the New York State United Teachers Retiree Council 8 and served as treasurer from 1998 -2010. He was a member of the Rome Teachers Association, New York State United Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers. Jack also enjoyed working at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home from 2000 to present.

On July 23, 1966, Jack married Arlene Nicastro, of Buffalo, NY, and sustained a loving marriage of 59 years. Jack and Arlene enjoyed traveling to many places in the United States, especially the West’s national parks and California, where son Alan resides. They also traveled through Spain, Italy and Germany, visiting relations and famous sights. 

One of Jack’s many loves besides teaching and traveling was cooking, especially Spanish and Italian dishes.  He was happiest when family members would join him in making home-made ravioli, cappelletti; and several other traditional Italian dishes every Christmas Eve. 

Surviving are his wife, Arlene, and two sons, Alan (Alice) Paz, of CA and Stephen (Dawn) Paz, of Sherrill, NY, his beloved grandchildren, Isaac, Owen, and Avery Paz of Sherrill. Also surviving is a sister, Sandra (Bob) Ziankoski of Rochester, NY, brothers-in-law; Norman Nicastro of West Seneca, NY, and Gerald (Susan) Nicastro of Parma, OH, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.  Besides his parents, Jack was predeceased by his in-laws, Mildred and Guy Nicastro, sisters-in-law, Irene Nicastro and Anne Nicastro. 

Jack’s other loves were his first dog, Sparky, his Golden Retriever, Turk, and his grandkids’ Beagle, Addie, who surely will miss those running leaps into her grandpa’s lap.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 200 N. James St., Rome, NY.  Relative and friends may call

at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd. Rome, NY, on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 4 -7 p.m.  Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s name to: Humane Society of Rome, Inc., P.O. Box 4572, Rome, New York 13442-4572.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com