Sean Kirst: St. Luke's mission co-founder recalled as 'example of Christ'
By Sean Kirst
Updated
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Sue Gilhooley, a missionary and assistant at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, places flowers at a tribute to co-founder Norman Paolini, who diedlast week after a struggle with Parkinson's disease and brain cancer at the age of 71. Paolini's 12-string guitar is also part of the display. Looking on is St. Luke's co-founder Amy Betros. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
By Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Amy Betros, who co-founded and co-directed St. Luke's Mission of Mercy with Norman Paolini shares memories of their work together while taking a break from preparing the sanctuary for his funeral tomorrow, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
By Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Gino Grasso, director of donations at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, which was co-founded by Norman Paolini, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. He reflects on his work with Paolini, who passed away at the age of 71 after a battle with Parkinsons disease. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
By Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Gino Grasso runs the clothing pantry at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, which was co-founded by Norman Paolini, whom he speaks of as a modern saint. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
By Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Gino Grasso runs the clothing pantry at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, which was co-founded by Norman Paolini, whom he speaks of as a modern saint. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Gino Grasso has an easy marker for remembering the day he met Norm Paolini, in 1993. It was at Amy's Place, the restaurant Amy Betros used to run in University Heights. Paolini, who loved playing his guitar, was working on a song to capture what he and Betros had just seen happen so improbably in the National Football League playoffs.
Sue Gilhooley, a missionary and assistant at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, places flowers at a tribute to co-founder Norman Paolini, who diedlast week after a struggle with Parkinson's disease and brain cancer at the age of 71. Paolini's 12-string guitar is also part of the display. Looking on is St. Luke's co-founder Amy Betros. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Amy Betros, who co-founded and co-directed St. Luke's Mission of Mercy with Norman Paolini shares memories of their work together while taking a break from preparing the sanctuary for his funeral tomorrow, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Gino Grasso, director of donations at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, which was co-founded by Norman Paolini, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. He reflects on his work with Paolini, who passed away at the age of 71 after a battle with Parkinsons disease. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Gino Grasso runs the clothing pantry at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, which was co-founded by Norman Paolini, whom he speaks of as a modern saint. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Gino Grasso runs the clothing pantry at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, which was co-founded by Norman Paolini, whom he speaks of as a modern saint. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)