2021 has been cruel for a lot of reasons, but losing Mark Aling and Paul DiComo is perhaps too much to accept.
Our industry has lost one of its most beloved members this week with the passing of Paul DiComo. If you never had the privilege to know and work with Paul — you really missed out.
Not only was he a true mensch of man, but one of the most professional in our industry. I was very fortunate to work with him and his clients over the past 23 years and he was over-the-top kind and willing to help you learn and grow as a journalist.
This obituary was passed along to me by industry colleagues Adam Sohmer and Sue Toscano and we wish to offer our most heartfelt condolences to his family.
Paul DiComo, longtime Polk Audio and Definitive Technology sales and marketing manager, lost his battle with cancer and died peacefully with his wife Susan Putnam by his side on Friday, September 10, 2021.
Paul was born on January 24, 1951, to Charles and Lillian DiComo in Newark, New Jersey.
After college at Rutgers, Newark, he moved to Boston, cutting his audio and sales chops first at Waltham Camera and Stereo, then at Tweeter Etc, managing both the Chestnut Hill and Harvard Square locations.
In 1981, Paul joined the fledgling electronics group NAD as National Sales Manager. Two years later, he accepted the role of National Sales Manager at Polk, and in 1995 used his writing and industry relations skills as Marketing and Public Relations Manager. In both of these roles Paul was an important figure in the growth of Polk Audio from a small regional company to one of the largest of its type in the global market. Paul was recruited to Definitive Technology in 2007 as Senior Vice President of Marketing and New Product Development, a role he held until late 2013.
From January 2014 on, Paul, with partner Al Ballard, founded CE-Marketing Pros, LLC., a marketing agency helping established and start-up Consumer Electronics brands build market share and consumer awareness.
Paul was well known throughout the consumer electronics industry for his keen intellect, his passion for his work, but most of all for his larger-than-life personality and love of life. His laughter was infectious and his outgoing personality made him a natural fit for his many roles in the industry. As he travelled the US and the world, Paul gained the respect of many, and would freely share his love and passion for music and fine audio products.
He is survived by his beloved wife and life partner, Susan Putnam, and their sons Michael and Gregory as well as two grandchildren.
A memorial in Paul’s honor will be held at the Candle Light funeral home in Catonsville, Maryland on Saturday, September 25th.
(In lieu of flowers, contributions to MMRF (Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation) would be appreciated. https://www.themmrf.org)
Paul was also a friend of ecoustics in our early years. Some may recall that he wrote an advice column called The Speaker Specialist that appeared on Polk Audio’s website, as well as some he authorized to be reprinted here. Although they were written more than 15 years ago, the information remains very relevant today. Paul will be sorely missed.
Understanding Speaker Frequency Response
All You Need to Know About Bass Management
Home Theater in a Box vs. Components. Which is Best For You?
Jean-Francois Héon
September 15, 2021 at 1:43 pm
I’m sorry for your lost.
Ian White
September 15, 2021 at 7:49 pm
Jean-Francois,
Just an excellent human being who had time for you as a writer/journalist. He was a true professional.
I had not worked with him for about 2-3 years but he was a constant source of knowledge and help since 1998. Always a kind guy.
Just a mensch.
Ian White
Mark Phelps
September 28, 2021 at 12:12 am
I don’t see too many posts here involving people I worked with (I wasn’t with Tweeter that long), but I worked with Paul at Chestnut Hill, and seeing his face in the photo, the first thing that came to mind was his laugh – a combination of sophisticated snarky and sixth-grade playground.
I remember one time a guy came in and bought a bunch of expensive stuff on a Thursday or Friday. On Monday, Paul came in to the store hopping mad. A friend of his told him that he was at a party over the weekend, and the host was bragging about how he’d bought the equipment at Tweeter for the party and was going to return it on Monday. Paul was waiting; and every scratch, scrape, and beer stain cost the guy a bundle, and he didn’t complain, thinking his scam had just plain backfired.
At the end, Paul told him that he knew what had happened, and ended the conversation with something like, “Come on [whatever his first name was]! We spent a lot of time together. If you just needed the stuff for your party, we could have worked something out – and it would have cost you a lot less.”
Whoever that was probably still remembers the life lesson Paul taught him that day.
RIP my friend.
Ian White
September 28, 2021 at 1:28 am
Mark,
I met Paul in 1998 and he was beyond amazing to work with for 2+ decades. He was a wealth of knowledge and a very kind guy.
Very sorry for your loss.
Ian White