ANTONIO "TONY" DiIORIO

ANTONIO “TONY” DiIORIO age 83, was born in Castel di Sangro, Italy on June 4, 1937.   He was the only son of  Giovanni and Maria (nee Frate) and brother to Rosanna (the late John) Russo.  Husband to Anna (Cirino). Son-in-law to the late Alphonso Cirino and Josephine Pusateri and bother-in-law to the late Rosa (Benedetto) D’Ambrosio,  Andrea (Santina) Cirino and Pino Cirino.

He immigrated to Cleveland with his father, mother, and sister at 18 years old. He immediately began to work as a foreman at a fabricating shop.  He met Anna at St. Marion church and they enjoyed spending their time at the Italian Club and out dancing with friends.   The friends they met at church and the Italian Club remained life-long friends.

He went on to start his own steel fabricating business, DiIorio Sheet Metal, in 1970, which is now run by his sons.  Also on Clark Avenue was T&R Drive-In, his venture in ice-cream sales with his best friend, Rico Grazia. His involvement in the community earned him the nickname “Mayor of Clark Avenue”. Years later, he became the proud owner of Massimo da Milano restaurant for 29 years.   Tony was well-known and respected in all of his endeavors for his kind heart and generosity.

If you wanted to find him on any given day, he would either be walking laps at the shop or sitting in his chair at Massimo, cigar in hand, greeting every guest that came in. Even in retirement, he would go into the shop three times a week (to “holler at his sons” and smoke his cigar).   His work ethic never slowed down.

 He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Anna; and by their sons John (Gerry) DiIorio and Anthony (Kelly) DiIorio. He is the beloved grandfather of Molly (Craig) Panzica, Samantha (Chandler) Converse, Patrick, Ryan, and Emily DiIorio.  He was great-grandfather to Ben, Emma, and Madelyn Panzica and Chance Converse.  He was also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, and beloved friends.  

Contributions suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association of Cleveland, P.O.Box 74924, Cleveland, Ohio 44194.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Rocco Church, 3205 Fulton Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44109 on Monday June 15, 2020 at 11:00 AM followed by his entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery. There will be a visitation with social distancing and masks suggested (due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, if you are not able to attend, the family truly understands and thank you for your love, respect and prayers) on Sunday from 1 – 5 PM  at the A. RIPEPI AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH (West of I-71).