Paul Furey Favini, 51, of Gainesville, Florida,
passed away on January 29th at home after a long and
courageous fight with cancer. Paul was originally a
resident of Scranton and is survived by his partner,
John Reger; his stepchildren, Britton and Natalie
Reger; his parents, Dr. and Mrs. M. Peter Favini;
his brother, Dr. Peter Favini and wife, Laurie; and
his six sisters, Susan Yost and husband, Richard;
Karin Collins and husband, Russell; Kristin Houser
and husband, Daniel; Lynn Volk and husband, Mark;
Lisa Bailey and husband, Michael; and Joanne Favini
and husband, Robert Stern. Paul also is survived by
15 nieces and nephews, and a great-nephew and
great-niece.
Paul was a Professor of Costume Design at The
University of Florida. He received his Master of
Fine Arts in Costume Design from
Indiana University
(Bloomington). He held a BS in Business
Administration/Marketing from the University of
Scranton and an AAS in Display and Exhibit Design
from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New
York. Paul was a graduate of Scranton Prep, 1978. At
the time of his death, Paul was serving as the
Interim Director of the School of Theatre and Dance
at The University of Florida.
Paul continuously practiced his craft by devising
costumes for numerous companies. He created the
costumes for the Phoenix Entertainment production of
Gypsy that toured the United States and Canada
throughout 2007 and 2008, and for the Gateway
Playhouse (Bellport, Long Island), The Cape
Playhouse (Cape Cod), Broward Stage Door (Coral
Springs, Florida), Palm Beach Opera (Palm Beach,
Florida), Shawnee Playhouse (Shawnee
on-the-Delaware, PA) and Tri-Cities Opera
(Binghamton, New York). He constructed wardrobes for
productions for the Goodspeed Opera House (East
Haddam, Connecticut) and the Ringling Brothers,
Barnum and Bailey Circus. In addition, he held the
position of Resident Designer with Costume World,
Inc., the second-largest costume rental house in the
United States. He was a proud member of United
Scenic Artists, Local 829.
A memorial service will be held at The University of
Florida, a Funeral Mass at St. John Vianney Parish,
Corpus Christi Church, Montdale, PA on February 18th
at 2:30 p.m., and a service at the family farm in
Dalton. Donations in celebration of Paul's life may
be sent to The University of Florida, Office of
Development, PO Box 115800, Gainesville, FL 32611;
the contact is Rachel Berry at The University of
Florida, 352-846-1812.
Paul had a wonderful sense of humor and a huge heart
that endeared him to all. He will be remembered with
love and joy by his family, his students, and his
many friends.
