1927
Joseph
2012
Joseph DiRienzo
June 20, 1927 — July 1, 2012
LOWELLVILLE--Joseph DiRienzo, 85, of Lowellville, passed away at Hospice House on Sunday, July 1, with his family by his side. Known as "Big Joe" to friends and family, he was happiest being called "Nonno Joe" by his five grandsons and two granddaughters.
Joe was born in Introdacqua, (L'Aquila) Italy, on June 20, 1927, a son of Gaetano and Bambina (Colangelo) DiRienzo. He came to the United States in 1947, returning to Italy to marry his wife, Gerbina, whom he brought back to the U.S. with him in 1954, settling in Lowellville. He was naturalized as an American citizen in 1953, and worked at Sharon Steel, Falcon Foundry and PlexCo, until his retirement.
He was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Lowellville. Joe enjoyed winemaking, gardening, dancing, and Italian music, but derived his greatest pleasure from sharing a hearty Italian meal and a glass of homemade wine with his friends and family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, the former Gerbina Berardo; a daughter, Bina, and her husband, Dr. Robert Wetzel, of Poland; a son, Guy, and his wife, Dayna, of Wexford, Pa.; grandsons, Dr. Robert (Raeanne), Ryan (Katie), Ross and Richard Wetzel and Anthony DiRienzo; granddaughters, Mia and Macy DiRienzo; a great-grandchild due in July; nephew, Joseph (Jeanne) DePasquale of Lowellville; niece, Darlene (Mike) Basista of Lowellville; nephews, Gaetano (Patrizia) DiRienzo of Rome and Dr. Antonio (Giulianna) DiRienzo of Sulmona, Italy; sisters-in-law, Ornelia (Ovidio) Spinosa, Laura (Gianni) Pronio, Anna Berardo, all of Ontario, Canada and Rina D'Angelis of Introdacqua, Italy; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great-nieces, and cousins in the United States, Canada and Italy.
He was predeceased by his parents and in-laws; his brother, Luigi; sister-in-law, Giannina DiRienzo and niece, Dina DiRienzo Ferri of Introdacqua, Italy; sister-in-law, Luisa DePasquale DiPietro of Lowellville; and brothers-in-law, Silvio Berardo of Ontario, Canada and Salvatore D'Angelis of Introdacqua, Italy.
Calling hours for friends and family will be held Thursday, July 5, 2012, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Lowellville, 244 McGill St.
A prayer service will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
The family would like to thank Dr. Spratt, Dr. Mihok, the staff of St. Elizabeth Boardman, Hospice House, and his caregivers for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in Mr. DiRienzo's name to Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, Ohio 44514 or to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 131 E. Wood St., Lowellville, Ohio 44436.
Joe was born in Introdacqua, (L'Aquila) Italy, on June 20, 1927, a son of Gaetano and Bambina (Colangelo) DiRienzo. He came to the United States in 1947, returning to Italy to marry his wife, Gerbina, whom he brought back to the U.S. with him in 1954, settling in Lowellville. He was naturalized as an American citizen in 1953, and worked at Sharon Steel, Falcon Foundry and PlexCo, until his retirement.
He was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Lowellville. Joe enjoyed winemaking, gardening, dancing, and Italian music, but derived his greatest pleasure from sharing a hearty Italian meal and a glass of homemade wine with his friends and family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, the former Gerbina Berardo; a daughter, Bina, and her husband, Dr. Robert Wetzel, of Poland; a son, Guy, and his wife, Dayna, of Wexford, Pa.; grandsons, Dr. Robert (Raeanne), Ryan (Katie), Ross and Richard Wetzel and Anthony DiRienzo; granddaughters, Mia and Macy DiRienzo; a great-grandchild due in July; nephew, Joseph (Jeanne) DePasquale of Lowellville; niece, Darlene (Mike) Basista of Lowellville; nephews, Gaetano (Patrizia) DiRienzo of Rome and Dr. Antonio (Giulianna) DiRienzo of Sulmona, Italy; sisters-in-law, Ornelia (Ovidio) Spinosa, Laura (Gianni) Pronio, Anna Berardo, all of Ontario, Canada and Rina D'Angelis of Introdacqua, Italy; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great-nieces, and cousins in the United States, Canada and Italy.
He was predeceased by his parents and in-laws; his brother, Luigi; sister-in-law, Giannina DiRienzo and niece, Dina DiRienzo Ferri of Introdacqua, Italy; sister-in-law, Luisa DePasquale DiPietro of Lowellville; and brothers-in-law, Silvio Berardo of Ontario, Canada and Salvatore D'Angelis of Introdacqua, Italy.
Calling hours for friends and family will be held Thursday, July 5, 2012, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Lowellville, 244 McGill St.
A prayer service will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
The family would like to thank Dr. Spratt, Dr. Mihok, the staff of St. Elizabeth Boardman, Hospice House, and his caregivers for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in Mr. DiRienzo's name to Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, Ohio 44514 or to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 131 E. Wood St., Lowellville, Ohio 44436.
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