Paul Vance, one of the songwriters behind catchy hits like “Itsy Bisty Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” and “Catch a Falling Star,” has died in Florida at 92.
News of Vance’s death on May 30 was shared by his daughter Paula Heart last Tuesday. She did not disclose a cause of death but said her father died “in my arms.”
She wrote: “To me, he was just my Dad … 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!”
Vance, who was born Joseph Paul Florio, partnered with Lee Pockriss on more than 300 songs that were recorded by artists like Shirley Bassey, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra and Robert Goulet.
His hits included “Playground In My Mind” by Clint Holmes and “Run Joey Run” by David Geddes. He retired from songwriting in the 1980s and spent his latter years on the horse racing scene.
Vance is survived by his children Paula, Connie and Joseph. His wife Margie died in 2012 and their son Philip died in 2009.