Joseph Dell'Anno Sr. Obituary (1925 - 2011)

Mr. Dell'Anno passed away February 9, 2011. He was born in Utica, New York on July 30, 1925 to Josephine (Tuttino) and Mariano Dell'Anno. On April 7, 1947 he married the love of his life, Clarinda Combs, and together they raised four children. Mr. Dell'Anno lettered in track at Proctor High School in Utica and set several state records some of which still stand today. Some of his great physical strength came from working on the railroad after he graduated. He joined the Army Air Force in 1943 where he earned the rank of Corporal while working as an airplane engines specialist. He was awarded the American Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. After receiving an honorable discharge, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York Teachers College at Oswego. In 1962, he completed a Master of Science degree at the University of Michigan. Mr. Dell'Anno's career as a drafting, architectural drawing, and industrial arts teacher spanned over 30 years. He taught at Draper Central High School in Schenevus, New York, Willow Run High School in Ypsilanti (where he also coached the boys track team), and he retired from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor in 1987. In his spare time he loved to garden, go hunting (deer, pheasant, and woodchuck) and do crossword puzzles. He loved Vanna White and watched Wheel of Fortune without fail. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tell corny jokes, some of them many times. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 59 years, two brothers and four sisters, his granddaughter, Petra Anonuevo, and his grandson Trevor Scott Anderson. He is survived by two brothers and three sisters, his children, Charlotte (Stephen) Katz, of East Lansing, Joseph Dell'Anno Jr. of Dexter, Anthony (Janet) Dell'Anno of Visalia, California and Carla (Maurilio) Bravo of Huntington Beach, California, his eight grandchildren, Erin Katz, Alan Katz, Joseph Dell'Anno, III (Cindy), David Dell'Anno, Lara Gino (James), Anthony Dell'Anno, Jr., Christin and Justin Anonuevo and four great grandchildren, Joseph Dell'Anno, IV, Cassandra Dell'Anno, John Gino, and Maximilian Dell'Anno. Services will be held at The Chapel in the Pines Funeral Home in Lansing on Saturday February 12, 2011 at 2:00 pm with visitation one hour prior. Mr. Dell'Anno will be buried with full military honors. To leave online condolences visit www.ChapelInThePinesFuneralHome.com.