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. 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 followed by a Funeral Mass at St. John
Vianney Parish, Montdale, PA, 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.
