Harry Stella

Harry was born in New York on March 21, 1925 to Vincenzo and Domenica Stella. He had two siblings, Anthony (Tony) and Josephine (Joan). He was born as Oronzo and later changed his name to Harry, and was affectionally referred to as Larry by his wife, Thelma. As a first-generation immigrant, Harry was proud of his Italian heritage and was active in the community’s Italian-American affairs. Harry was a proud World War II veteran that served with the United States Navy. After 3 years of service with the United States Navy, in which he received an Honorable Discharge, he met the love of his life, Thelma Brown. They married in 1945, and were inseparable. Harry and Thelma had four children; Vincent, Carolyn, Deborah, and Jack. As a life-long artist, he attended Cartoonists & Illustrators School in New York, and received a Certificate of Completion in Commercial Art as an Illustrator in 1950. He then used his skills as an artist to become a textile designer, in which his wife helped him learn the trade. He was also a member of the American Artist’s “Who’s Who”. Harry was an active artist and always had a painting in the works, and his art has been displayed around the community. Another passion of his was photography, and he developed his own prints in the family home. Harry had an absolute appreciation of music, in which he learned from his mother taking him to the opera at a young age. His musical preferences included classical, opera, big band, and jazz; he was often heard opera singing around the family home. Harry loved to garden and had a true admiration of nature. Harry was a gourmand, and enjoyed cooking for his family. As a culinary adventurer, he would try one recipe after another to please his family’s palates. Harry had a gentle personality with pure love in his heart. He was a family-man who always encouraged his family members to follow their dreams. Harry Stella was a genuine renaissance man.

Harry leaves behind his beloved wife Thelma; his four loving children Vincent and his wife Renee, Carolyn and her husband Arthur, Deborah and her partner Jeffrey, and Jack and his partner Cindy; his seven adoring grandchildren Brian, Evan and his wife Tashaune, Alyssa, Brittany and her husband Aaron, Julian, Jordan and his wife Erin, and Laura; his amazing three great grandchildren Annalyse, Lila, and Adalae.

Family and friends will honor and remember Harry’s life by gathering at Star of David Memorial Funeral Chapel, 7701 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale, on Sunday, November 4, 2018. The Funeral Service starts at 12:00pm, and is followed by a Committal Service at 12:30pm at Devotion C Mausoleum at Bailey Memorial Gardens, 7801 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale.