Paul F. Muscenti

March 24, 1936 — May 12, 2024

Phoenix

Paul F. Muscenti died on May 12, 2024. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he moved with his family to Phoenix when he was nine years old. He graduated with honors from Murphy Grammar School and West Phoenix High School. He graduated from the University of Arizona College of Business Administration and did graduate work then. While at the University, he became a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and remained an active alumnus. He graduated with honors from the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington with a graduate degree in commercial banking.

While at the University of Arizona, he was recruited by an executive of First National Bank of Arizona to join the bank’s management training program. He advanced from management trainee to Phoenix District Vice President in charge of the bank’s Phoenix branch offices. He joined United Bank as Phoenix Regional Vice President as head of its Phoenix offices. He was approached by a number of local professional and businessmen to help form and be President of a new bank. He served as a Founding Director and President of Metropolitan Bank, one of the most profitable and successful community banks in Arizona. When the bank was acquired by a regional bank holding company, he remained President. When the holding company was acquired by a larger holding company, he left the bank. He served as Vice Chairman of Southwest Bank. He joined Arizona Bank and Trust as Chairman of the Board and consultant to the President and remained on the board until he retired.

He served as a director of a number of civic professional organizations. These boards include the Arizona Bankers Association, Governors Committee on Interstate Banking, Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Metro Phoenix and It Foundation, Silent Witness, University of Arizona Alumni Association, Board of Advisors Eller Graduate School of Management, University of Arizona, Phoenix 20-30 Club, among others. He wanted to give back to Phoenix and Arizona the many opportunities he felt were given to him during his career.

He remained very active in competitive sports during his life, both as a participant and spectator. He played for a number of years in Phoenix Metro League basketball and fast pitch softball leagues. He was a fan and financial supporter of the University of Arizona, University of Notre Dame and Ohio State University athletic programs. He endowed athletic scholarships at those universities. To help him get through the university financially, he coached athletic teams at a local grammar school in football, basketball, and softball. He felt it was a very enriching and gratifying experience. He remained friends with some of the young men he coached into their adulthood.

He is survived by his brother, William, cousins in Metro Phoenix and greater Cleveland. He was known as a loyal friend who always was there to assist a friend if needed.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 North Central Avenue in Phoenix on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

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Service Schedule

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Mass

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

10:00 - 11:00 am (Mountain (no DST) time)

Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church

4715 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012

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