ALLOUEZ — Deacon Paul Plantico, 89, who served as a deacon for the Diocese of Green Bay for 29 years, died on Easter Sunday, April 20.
Deacon Plantico grew up in Two Rivers where he attended St. Luke School. Following graduation from Washington High School, he earned a degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
Deacon Plantico taught history and coached debate at New London High School for five years. In 1954, he joined the faculty at Green Bay West High School where he served as a history teacher, department chair and director of debate and forensics. In 1966, he was honored with the Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Award. A year later, Look Magazine recognized him on its National Top 5 Teachers Honor Roll. He retired from teaching in 1986.
In 1974, Deacon Plantico received a certificate in theology from St. Norbert College, De Pere. He was ordained a deacon on Feb. 9, 1974, by Bishop Aloysius Wycislo. Deacon Plantico served at St. Agnes Parish, Green Bay, from 1974 to 1990 and at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Parish from 1990 until his retirement from active ministry in 2003. In 2008, he moved to Marietta, Ga., to be closer to his family.
He is survived by his five children: Carolyn (Tom Stoner), Peter (Cynthia), Marc (LuAnne), Christopher and Paul; 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Shirley (Belonger) Mitchell.
Deacon Plantico married Lois Marie Belonger in 1950 at St. Luke Church. Lois died in 1994. Also preceding him in death were his parents, Reuben and Carrie Plantico; his in-laws, Isadore and Cecilia Belonger; a brother, Reuben Plantico, Jr.; a sister-in-law, Winifried; and a brother-in-law, Wallace Mitchell.
The funeral Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, May 2, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. Bishop Robert Banks will be the celebrant with Deacon Paul Umentum serving as deacon for the Mass. Entombment will follow in the Allouez Chapel Mausoleum.
