Anthony D. Paranzino, 76, banker; developer

Anthony D. Paranzino, 76, of Ambler and Wildwood Crest, a retired banker and real estate developer, died Thursday, March 5, of kidney disease at Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville, Md.

He had moved to Rockville to be near his children.

Mr. Paranzino began his career with Bell Savings Bank. He then joined Girard Trust Co. and quickly rose to become one of its youngest officers, opening the bank's Olney office as branch manager.

His skill as a lender led him into commercial real estate development and project finance as vice president of George K. Heebner Inc., and ultimately to running his own commercial real estate development firm, Anthony & Alan Construction, with a business partner. He retired in the 1990s.

Born and reared in Mount Airy, Mr. Paranzino learned how to make his way in the world with the help of extended family after his father died he when was 10. Mr. Paranzino attended Holy Cross School, where he met Carol Schenkel in the first grade. The two celebrated their 54th anniversary in May. He graduated from North Catholic High School, attended Temple University, and was an Army veteran.

Mr. Paranzino was an enthusiastic sports fan, dating to the 1940s, when his aunt Betty Yanni took him to his first baseball game. He attended a dozen Super Bowls and was pictured in The Inquirer's sports section on Oct. 7, 1993, catching a ball during a Phillies playoff game.

In a merging of his business and personal interests, his firm developed and built a facility for NFL Films in Mount Laurel in the late 1970s.

Mr. Paranzino also devoted much of his time to serving as a trustee of Germantown Academy in Fort Washington.

He was an avid storyteller who took an interest in those from all walks of life, especially the underdogs. "He did not just learn people's names, he learned their life stories," his family said in a tribute.

Besides his wife, Mr. Paranzino is survived by sons Gary, Gregory, and Michael; nine grandchildren; a sister; and nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass was held Friday, March 13.