Alberto Paolini, Endwell Restaurant Owner, Dead at 78

Alberto Paolini, a town of Union man who realized a lifelong dream when he opened his own restaurant, has died. He was 78.

Paolini opened Ristorante Dell’Arco on Watson Boulevard in Endwell in the summer of 2017. According to a published obituary, Paolini died on February 12.

Paolini, who was born in Italy, was 19 when he came to the United States. He worked in various construction jobs while living in Endicott. At one point, he owned a Tasty Donut shop in Endwell.

In 1997, Paolini acquired an old two-family house on Watson Boulevard with a vision of transforming the place into an Italian restaurant.

He spent years working at nights and on weekends to complete the eatery with a bar. He proudly showed off his new business to a reporter as he prepared to open.

Paolini said it had taken "a long time and a lot of work" to make his dream a reality. He said the effort was worth it as he waited to welcome the restaurant's first diners.

Alberto Paolini is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ofelia Paolini, and his three daughters, Liliana, Antonietta and Diana.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.