RIP Paul Vance

 

Paul Vance, songwriter and horse owner, dies at 92

 

Harnesslink

By Steve Wolf

June 2, 2022

 

Paul Vance (who was born Joseph Paul Florio on Nov. 4, 1929), a world-renowned American songwriter, record producer and Standardbred harness racing owner, passed away Sunday, May 30 at the age of 92.

He passed away with his daughter, Paula Vance at his side.

Vance, along with co-writer Lee Pockriss wrote hundreds of songs.

His most successful songs were Catch A Falling Star, Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini and Tracy. He wrote more than 300 songs during his long career.

As a harness racing owner, the United States Trotting Association lists Vance as owning or leasing 167 horses during his career. And he was reported breeding 129 mares during that time period.

The best horse Vance owned was the top pacer Secret Service, a 27-time winner of $454,000 with a race record time trial at The Meadowlands in 1:53.2 back in 1981. Secret Service was trained by Vance’s son Joseph Vance. His son ran the stable for his father’s horses.

The last horse that Vance owned in partnership with Tom Haughton was Cathy’s Princess T, 5, 1:53.1F $123,875, who sadly was killed in the barn fire at Olympia Training Center (formerly South Florida Trotting Center) in Boynton Beach, FL on March 16, 2016.

In a quote from her Facebook page on Tuesday, daughter Paula Vance said; “As sad as I am today, I have peace in knowing that in my Dads last days and weeks of his life, he asked God to forgive him and said the sinners prayer with me more then once . His light went out yesterday but when I look up at the stars at night I will always remember to Catch a falling star and put it in my pocket and never let it fade away! RIP now Daddy, I know you and mommy are dancing to your songs in heaven right now with all of our loved ones in a circle around the 2 of you clapping as you dance the Lindy in each other’s arms forever.”

It has been reported that the service will be private.

VANCE, Paul (Joseph Paul Florio)

Born: 11/4/1929, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 5/30/2022, Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.A

 

Paul Vance’s western – songwriter:

Stagecoach – 1966 [songwriter “Stagecoach to Cheyenne”]