Paul Joseph Kaye: July 26,1952 - January 10, 2018

Paul passed quietly at his home in Riegelsville, Pa. on Wednesday, January 10, 2018. Paul, 65, was born in Newark, NJ, and grew up in Roselle Park, NJ He graduated from Upsala College with a bachelor’s degree in social work.

PAUL LOVED MUSIC!
Beginnings: Paul told of the cataclysmic moment he first heard live rock and soul. He was just a 12-year-old boy walking the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ, and he heard music -- with live horns, guitar, and drums -- flowing from the doors of a dark, dank boardwalk bar (yes, indeed, one of THOSE places) … he could not resist the call of the music. Underage though he was, he dared to step into the bar and ask the bouncer if could he just come in and listen and see. The bouncer said "YES! But only a short indulgence young man”. From the back of the bar Paul dared to look. And behold! Appearing was Wayne Cochran, a huge blonde bouffant piled on his head, wearing a gold lame suit, and Cuban heel boots … leading a full freakin’ band with horns and EVERYTHING!
The spark was lit and Paul would never be the same again.
Paul was at a historic musical moment in 1965…at Shea Stadium for the Beatle's first US appearance.
His encyclopedic knowledge of music was amazing. The last concert he saw was on December 23, 2017, at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, seeing Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul (hoping for an unexpected appearance by Bruce, alas it was not to be; he was probably too tired from his Broadway gig)!. But nonetheless Paul and his musician friend Tommy were blown away.

PAUL LOVED MOVIES!
Paul was a member of Celebration Playhouse, in Cranford, NJ, which was founded in the early 1970s by Gary Cohen, Mark Gerstein and Neil Cerbone (in 1979 it became the New Jersey Public Theater). Paul’s most memorable roles there would be Papa Pepe Hernandez in “El Grande De Coca Cola," and parts in “The Robber Bridegroom,” “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” and “Little Murders,” just to name a few.

In 1987, Paul, with his longtime friend and creative collaborator, Gary Cohen, co-wrote the film “Video Violence” and he had a small-on camera role in it. It was one of the first shot-on-video (SOV) horror film and certainly has achieved cult status -- original copies are sought after even today and command high prices on eBay.

Paul co-wrote with Gary Cohen “Magic on Music Mountain,” a documentary about the first theater-in-the-round located under a tent, St. John Terrell’s Music Circus in Lambertville, NJ. The venue thrived from 1949-1970, presenting musical comedies, jazz greats and rock-and-roll acts.

With Gary Cohen, Paul created the documentary “Halloweenville,” about the unique ways Halloween is celebrated in Lambertville.

Recently Paul had the opportunity to take voice-over classes in New York City and begin a new career. He set up a home voice-over/recording studio and was actively working on commercials and audio books. He was energized by his classes, teachers and colleagues. In recent years, Paul also worked as an extra on film and television sets in New York City, including “American Hustle,” “The Price of Silence,” with Richard Thomas, and “The Americans.”

Paul loved New York City in the ’70s. He lived on Thompson Street near the Thompson Street Social Club.
He resided for 15 years in his beloved adopted home of Lambertville, NJ, moving to Riegelsville, Pa., about two years ago.

He leaves behind his partner of 23 years, Jann Kniskern; his sister Karen Adamson and her husband, Fred; his sister Terry Vitaliano and her husband, Mark; his nephew Ron Rusty Mueller and his wife Michelle Vivilecchia; his beloved dog, Murphy and his cats, Grace, Sasha and Pasha; and many friends and colleagues. Paul was predeceased by his father Joseph P. Kaye and his mother Irene Kaye Mayham; and his sister Tina Schroeder.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lambertville Animal Welfare:

You may donate via the PAYPAL BUTTON on this page or send a check to:

http://lambertvilleanimalwelfare.org

Lambertville Animal Welfare (LAW)
P.O. Box 722
Lambertville NJ 08530

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