Alberico Lio

Alberico “Pop” Lio, 87 passed away peacefully at home on Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011.

Born in 1924 in the southern Italian region of Calabria, near the city of Cosenza in the village of Castiglione Cosentino. Alberico was the third of six children of Rosina (Magnelli) and Gabriele Lio. He was a veteran of the Italian army during World War II and survived numerous actions in Brindisi and Lecce. In 1948 he married his sweetheart, Ida Fortino, also a native of Castiglione Cosentino. After his marriage he and the Fortino brothers-in-law ran a quarrying business. On June 14, 1972 because of the sluggish Italian economy he immigrated to the United States with his family. He returned to Italy frequently to visit family and friends left behind.

Alberico personified the finest qualities of the Italian immigrants who came to America. He was resilient, proud, and an excellent worker. He only had one employer, Yard and Garden, (The Beinhaurs) a landscaping company. After retirement, he joined the family business, Lio’s Pizza and Sub Shop; he was there to help seven days a week where he efficiently sliced the meats, cheeses, vegetables, and dough preparation until he got sick on the first of January 2011. He was affectionately known as “Pop” by thousands of customers and the employees. He was often seen in the back lot of Lio’s Pizza on Linglestown Road tending to his famous tomatoes bed.

Alberico enjoyed spending time with his family and friends playing bocce and Italian card games. He had many talents including his famous garden which was featured in The Patriot News gardening section several times. He won various ribbons for best Roma Tomatoes, eggplant, hot peppers, and basil. He particularly enjoyed passing the old country traditions down to the next generation including the secrets for making wine and the curing of the different types of salami such as salsiccia, prosciutto, capicollo, sopressata, and pancetta. There is nothing Alberico could not make or create.

Alberico was preceded in death by his sisters: M. Teresa Lio-Gesualdi, Adelina Lio-Boschelli, Virginia Lio-Fabiani, a brother, Egidio Lio, all of Italy and his grandson, Pietro Leone of Harrisburg. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Ida Lio and his loving children: Rose (Tony) Lio, Romeo (Maria Luisa) Lio, and Maria (Giovanni) DiSanto. The grandchildren: Armando (Jill) Lio, Alberico (Cinzia) Lio, Clorinda Leone, Antonella (William) Weaver, Alessandro DiSanto, Bianca DiSanto, and Luca Giani, ‘adopted grandson’ Italian international student at Georgetown University, Washington D. C. The great-grandchildren: Isabella Leone, Luigi Leone, Marialuisa Lio, and baby Will Weaver. Also surviving is a brother, Francesco (Lina) Lio and a nephew, Dante (Elaine) Lio of Harrisburg. Alberico leaves behind many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in the United States, Canada, and Italy.

Alberico was a devout Roman Catholic, a former member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on Cameron Street in Harrisburg and a member at Holy Name of Jesus Church.

Visitation will be at Neil Funeral Home, 3501 Derry Street, Harrisburg from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2011. Rosary will be recited at 8:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6190 Allentown Boulevard, Harrisburg, with The Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend as Celebrant and The Most Rev. Joseph P. McFadden, Bishop of Harrisburg as Con-Celebrant. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bishop McDevitt High School Capital Campaign Fund, 2200 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103.

The Lio-DiSanto family would like to give sincere thanks to the physicians and all the people who took care of Pop during his illness at Harrisburg Hospital, Select Medical at Holy Spirit Hospital, the Helen M. Simpson Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Pinnacle Health Home Care and Hospice.