…………………………..JAMES DELL’OLIO…………….my dad……………..The picture was taken in 1918……..He was born in Italy and came to this country as an infant……He was a lover of fine food, good wine and music. As a young child he learned to play the violin. A story he loved to tell was how he would skip violin classes and play craps with a priest behind the church!…..He was also an alter boy……Yes, an angel with horns!……He was known as the mayor, because he knew and spoke to everyone……….quite the opposite of my mother who was very private……He was also a comedian and was the life of EVERY party……….He loved music and every night, without fail, after dinner he would go down to the finished basement, which he was very proud of, and listened to music for an hour until my mother would join him. He had the largest collection of LP 78s records. He had over 1000 albums. Each one was categorized so if you wanted to hear a certain song or singer he knew just where to go. He listened to everything from Opera to Broadway shows. He introduced me to all the greats…..from Ella to Frank, and everyone in between…He loved all types of music and all singers from Elvis to Johnny Mathis to Maria Callas…..quite a mix…….Artists that the new generations have never heard of or listened to……singers with real voices….Besides music he introduced me to cordials…..He had a beautiful hand made bar, and he would give me a small fancy glass with a raspberry cordial…….We would sit, sip and listen to music…….yum………………….As you can see he was a pretty snappy dresser, and always had his own style…….My Dad had a long life……..He retired from business when he was 55 [my oldest brother Mauro took over the reigns of his business]. He passed away at the age of 96. My mother was definitely the love of his life, and they were married for 70 years……… When she passed at the age of 96 he followed her two weeks later…………….Who could ask for anything more……………………………………Happy Father’s Day Dad………………..all my love……………………..Louie
You sometimes share ‘his’ look of intensity!
Very nice tribute.
Louis, such a beautiful story you shared with me. It truly is special, and heartwarming! I could envision all those special times, as you so eloquently described them. Your father, truly left you with a beautiful legacy. Very special in every way. Thank you for the glimpse into your family’s bond.
Much love,
Carma
A wonderful tribute to a great man.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful stories of your father. With so much bad behavior in the news, it’s nice to hear about the admirable attributes of a man with character.
Happy Father’s Day!
Dear Louis,
Thank you for completing your tribute to your parents with this warm appreciation of your father. He was, from all appearances, a man with a joyful and artistic temperament. You resemble him through the mouth and cheek area. What a lovely salute to a good life.
I can see the love and respect you had for your Dad! My Dad’s Dad (grandfather) came over here to NYC and was a teenager sponsored by his older sister. My own Dad passed 2 years ago at the age of 87. He also loved music like many of the greats you mentioned –Sinatra was his favorite and he was friends with Tony Benedetto (Tony Bennett) as a young man growing up in Astoria, NY. Fathers are so important to our lives as they ‘show us the way and how to act’ as they guide us to adulthood. Blessings to you and your family today.
Regards,
Chris
Thank you for sharing
What a beautiful love story…
What a wonderful tribute to your father. Sounds like he was a fun man who enjoyed the little things in life. It is so nice that your parents had a long life together. So glad my dad is still around. 🙂
Dear Louis,
Thanks for sharing these beautiful memories of your Dad. You are blessed to have had such wonderful parents.
Have a toast for your Dad on this special day,
Dariann
Beautiful memory of your Dad. Have a happy Father’s Day. Hi to Jac.
Elaine
That is such a sweet story and tribute to your dad. I wish to have love like that! Its wonderful how loving childhood you had, and it certainly shows in you, in the way you express your love to Jacque. A lot has to do with the way you were raised and what you saw with them.
Happy Fathers day Louis