9-28-1925 – 1-30-2023
Dino C. Stefani, 97, joined his beloved wife Ida Stefani, in heaven on the morning of January 30, 2023. The loving father of Carol Rizzi and Diane Stefani, passed away peacefully among family at the home of his daughter in Sedona, Arizona.
Dino was born in New York City in a cold water flat on the east side of Manhattan on September 28, 1925. He is the son of Carlo Stefani and Aida Picconi of Borgataro, Italy; and brother to pre-deceased sister Alice.
The dapper World War II Army veteran met the love of his life at a big band concert in Central Park in 1947. For most of their 73 years together they were inseparable. Dino and Ida married on February 13, 1949. For their 60th wedding anniversary they enjoyed a night of swing-era dancing and fine dining at NYC’s iconic Rainbow Room (see photo).
While in the Army, Dino was stationed with the 824th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He was so proud to have served as an antitank gunner. He was severely injured during “war game” maneuvers at North Camp Hood, Texas, in anticipation of his unit being sent to The Battle of the Bulge. Dino was released with an honorable discharge after 6 months in a local hospital.
As a young dad and bank supervisor with Chase Manhattan Bank, he made sure his wife and daughters enjoyed summer vacations in Atlantic City and many weekends in Sound Beach, Long Island.
Dino and Ida spent their later years living with daughter Carol and son-in-law John Rizzi in Sedona. He especially enjoyed spending time with Carol’s close friends in Sedona – Bobby, Doreen and Paul. While in Margate, New Jersey with daughter Diane and son-in-law Terry Peikin, Dino’s extended family included Ellie Blumenthal, Shelly Blumenthal, and Joe Falls.
His favorite evening activity was watching classic films from the Golden Age of movies. Just two days before he left us Dino and his daughters and son-in-law enjoyed “The Black Rose” with Tyrone Power (whom he had an uncanny resemblance to in his youth).
One of Dino’s favorite toasts was: “Health. Wealth. And the time to enjoy it.” At special occasions, he was fond of singing the chorus to Guy Lombardo’s “Enjoy Yourself (It’s later than you think)”:
Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think;
Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it's later than you think
Dino will be remembered for his love and devotion to his wife, two daughters; friends he and Ida made while at Tri-Faith and Gracie’s Diner, and his inspiring philosophy on life. Simply put, and another one of Dino’s favorite sayings: “Keep your eye upon the donut and not upon the hole.”
A MASS WILL BE HELD FOR DINO STEFANI ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 AT 9:30 AM AT
ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, 404 EAST 87TH ST., NYC, FOLLOWED BY MILITARY HONOR GUARD SERVICES AT ST. MICHAEL’S CEMETERY, 72-02 ASTORIA BLVD, EAST ELMHURST 11370
In lieu of flowers, his daughters ask that a donation be made to the Veterans Administration or
Aviant Hospice, Cottonwood, AZ.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChasPeterNagel.com for the Stefani family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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