Pasquale “Pat” DelVillaggio, retired sailor in the U.S. Navy, gourmet cook, lover of jazz, (especially Frank Sinatra), poker player extraordinaire and all-around cool dude, died on Friday, February 8, 2019.
Pat, also known as “Dell” and “Chiefcool”, was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, (which he insisted on calling “bet-lem”) to Leonardo Alberto DelVillaggio and Cora Delgrosso DelVillaggio. His siblings, sisters Marie Wrabel and Carmela Burkland, and brother Leonard “Reds” DelVillaggio, along with his parents, all pre-deceased him.
As a young guy growing up in the 40’s, he was a natural leader. He was charismatic, “movie-star handsome” (often told he looked like Tony Curtis) with his jet black curly hair and swagger, and full of mischief, that shown in his sparkling blue eyes. If any of the stories he told us over and over were to be believed, he should have ended up in juvenile detention more than once! He and his “gang” from school (he graduated from Liberty High School) were a tight knit “band of brothers” who played together, explored together, got into trouble together, and chased girls together.
After high school, he made a decision that would shape his entire life. He joined the U.S. Navy. He enlisted on October 12, 1948. There was no prouder sailor than our Dad. While stationed at Patuxent River Naval Base, in Maryland, he often spent his free time in Washington, D.C. After many years in the service dad retired from the Navy on June 1, 1968.
The next life-changing moment came when one night, as he was working as a “bouncer” for a favorite D.C. club/hangout for the military guys. (mind you, he wasn’t the biggest guy, but what he lacked in size, he made up in feistiness) a tall, leggy brunette came into the club, and she definitely caught his eye. As “legend” has it, she told him that her boyfriend would be along shortly, and to “please let him in”.
So, he did what any red-blooded guy would do, he kicked the boyfriend out of the club, asked her to dance, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Virginia Lee Morton was his perfect match. She, like him, was a phenomenal dancer and loved the same music that he did. In fact, they were such good dancers together that they won several dance contests. It was as if they had danced together their entire lives.
June 29, 1952 was the day they married, in Washington, D. C.
He cherished his 20 years in the service, travelling all over the world. Okinawa, Japan and Naples, Italy, being two of his favorite ports of call. He served aboard aircraft carriers for long periods of time. Our parent lived in several places, Long Beach, California, being one of their favorites. They ended up back at the Patuxent River Naval Air Base, where I (Carla) was born.
They got transferred to the Sanford Naval Air Station, and bought a house in Winter Springs, for a whopping $10,000! In 1959, Dad’s namesake, Pasquale Carl came into the world, and the family was complete.
Virginia DelVillaggio left us on October 24, 2004. There hasn’t been one single day since then, that he hasn’t missed her desperately.
Pat is survived by his daughter, Carla DelVillaggio and son-in-law, Paul Brown; his son, Pasquale DelVillaggio and daughter-in-law, Laura DelVillaggio, along with his grand-daughter, Heide Ellis. Sister-in-law, Louise DelVillaggio (Bethlehem, Pa), and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind countless people whose lives he not only touched, but made a lasting, indelible impression upon.
A more loving and devoted husband and father, you will never find. A more generous soul, and a more open heart ,you will never find. The love and pride he had for my Mother, my brother and myself, came from the depths of his very soul. He was a man deeply loved and admired by everyone that had the honor of knowing him.
Services are being held on Friday, February 15, 2019 at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, 994 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, Fl. 32701. A viewing will begin at 11:00 that morning, followed by a Celebration of his life beginning at 12pm. Internment will be at All Faiths Memorial Park, 1390 Park Drive, Casselberry, Fl. 32707. In lieu of flowers, we are collecting donations to be gifted to Spring Hills Assisted Living Facility, Lake Mary, to thank them for the incredible love and care they gave to Dad over the past 3 years.
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