Alfred "Waffy" DiGiacomo

Alfred DiGiacomo, age 91, died Friday, May 9, 2014 at Friendly Village Nursing Home. He was born September 9, 1922 to Anselmo and Christina (Fondie) DiGiacomo in Aurora, Minnesota. Al joined the Navy in September 1942 and was assigned to the USS Hancock in July 1943. His station on the ship was rank of Musician First Class. He was awarded the Asia-Pacific Theatre Medal and Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 stars. He was discharged in January 1946.

Alfred married Delia (Schultz) on April 22, 1946 and they have celebrated 68 years of marriage. He worked at the Rhinelander Paper Co. for 52 years as a journeyman-Machinist, and retired July 1, 1993, at the age of 72. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, building large paper airplanes and kites and flying them with his kids. He also enjoyed his electric trains. Al was very civic minded and was a member of the American Legion Drum & Bugle Corps. Al then went on to organize and run the all-girl Belles of St. Mary’s Drum and Bugle Corps for many years at the request of Fr. Schipper

Alfred is survived by his wife, Delia, his daughters; Sharon (Jerry) Staffon of Port Richey, FL and Judith (Bob) Letheby of Norfolk, NE, six grandchildren; Jason (Molly) Hunter , of Clinton, IA, Tad Hunter of Norfolk, NE, Mark (Amy) Schleinz of Wausau, WI, Nicole Izquierdo, of Porter, TX, Kasi Staffon, of Palm Harbor, FL, and Traci (John) Frank, of Port Richey, FL, several great-grandchildren, a brother, Robert, and a sister, Gloria Juetten.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Marino.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 11:00am at Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home with Father Tom Thakadipuram officiating. Burial will follow at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be from 10:00am until the time of service. Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home, 715-365-4343 is assisting the family with arrangements. All are invited to light a candle and sign Alfred’s guestbook at hildebrandfh.com.