Paul Conese is a second generation American of Italian heritage who owns and operates Sport Shack at Hayes a business which was established by his father who couldn’t find a basketball for sale in Gloucester when he needed one.

He is also known by members of his family and by his business associates as an outstanding cook, especially of traditional Italian foods.

Paul grew up in New York, first in the city and then on a farm. He became an architect but it was during a visit with his parents in Gloucester that he decided to stay, and "the rest is history."

Paul grew up with good Italian cooking all around him and has continued that family tradition since moving here in 1989. "I remember so well on Sunday mornings—we always had Sunday dinner with my grandmother—the aroma coming from her kitchen. The gravy was on. I don’t think I ever heard it called sauce until moving down here. So it’s still gravy at my house. When serving, the pasta is put in a lar...