Paul F. Ambery

Paul Francis Ambery, 81, passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2023 at Seaview Nursing Home. Paul was born December 29, 1941 in Red Hook, Brooklyn to the late Thomas and Mary Crossin Ambery, the 4th of 8 children. He attended Visitation Grammar, Manual Training High School and graduated from Staten Island Community College in 1976. Paul married his teenage girlfriend, Theresa Louise Caracciolo ,in 1966. Together they had two daughters, Paula (Costa) and Tracey (Iovino). The family grew to include his son-in-law, William Costa and James Iovino and four grandchildren, Ava Marie, Joseph Paul, Emileo Paul and Lily Grace. All of whom he loved very much. He loved knowing that he provided them with a good education and a stable future. He enjoyed seeing his family happy. In his healthier times he was a lover of nature and avid gardener, particularly growing many rose bushes at home and at his firehouse. Paul was a man who took great pride in serving and helping others. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Army and served from 1960 - 1962, during the Vietnam War, stateside as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, achieving rank of Specialist 4th class. After service to his country, he joined the NYPD briefly before starting a job he loved being a firefighter. He was part of the FDNY for 37 years in Engine Companies 224, 5 and 167 and ended his career as part of the FDNY Help Team. During his time with FDNY, he was actively involved with the FDNY Anchor Club, serving as President at one time. Even in retirement he wanted to help - for 9/11 he worked at Ground Zero the first week and for the next six months as a retiree volunteer at the FDNY Counseling Unit. Paul was passionate about knowing where he came from and did the manual work to understand his past before the days of Ancestry.com. He was descendent of Pieter Claesen Wyckoff of Holland, b 1625, who came to the New Amsterdam (New York City) as an indentured servant and traveled up the Hudson to Albany, marrying Grietje van Nes. After finishing his servantry, he came back to Flatlands, Brooklyn, starting a family in the Wyckoff House, which still exists today and is the oldest building in New York City, belonging to the Wyckoff Association. Through marriage the names changed to Owen and Bragg and then Ambery. He was proud to understand the past of being a 12th generation American, of Dutch, French, English and Irish descent. He will have a lot to talk about with them. Paul is survived by his wife, daughters, son-in-laws, grandchildren, his sisters Margaret Ryan, Catherine King, Mary Burns and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his four brothers, George, Thomas, Charles and Robert. The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023, at the John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd. (at Eltingville Station), Staten Island, New York. Please note: There are no services on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Holy Child Church located at 4747 Amboy Rd Staten Island, New York 10312. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul's memory to FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation, P.O. Box 340949 Brooklyn, NY 11234 would be greatly appreciated.

Paul F. Ambery

December 29, 1941 - July 27, 2023