Gerald DiBello

Gerald D. DiBello, age 91, on February 15, 2023 of Broomall PA was predeceased by his first wife Diane G. (nee Pavone) the mother of his children.

Survived by his second wife Ruth (nee Sine) (DiSantis), children Anthony “Tony”, Louis (Rosemary), Gerald “Jerry” (Theresa), Paul (Tina), Janet (Kevin) Chance and Steven (Kim), fifteen grandchildren Louis (Momo), Nicholas (Aedan), Christopher (Meghan), Stephanie (Adam) Thomas, James (Megan), Christine, Jerry, Morgan (Nick), Taylor, David, Alyssa (Chase) Taylor, Shannon, Colin, Rachel and Benjamin, seven great grandchildren Zoey, Silas, Luca, Isaac, Gwendolyn, Layton and Riley Cullop, and sister Regina (Domenic) Pizzetti.

Jerry, named Algerino at his birth in 1931 in Pennapiedimonte, Abruzzo, Italy, emigrated to the United States in 1937. His father had a premonition of World War II and brought the family to the Overbrook section of West Philadelphia.  During the immigration process his name was mistranslated to ‘Gerald’, and hence became known as ‘Jerry’.  In 1941 at age ten he began working with his father in the landscaping business he would eventually come to run.  He graduated in 1949 from St. Thomas Moore High School in Philadelphia and was drafted into the US Army in 1952.   He served in the Korean War conflict from 1952 to 1954, earning the Bronze Service Star, and he served in the US Army Reserves until 1960. In 1957 he married Diane Pavone, moved to Drexel Hill and started a family.  While running his landscaping business he went to night school at St. Joseph University to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Jerry eventually became president of the Main Line Gardeners Association.  His love for football began when he played for a local sandlot league team from 1950-52, the Lady of Angels Black Knights, and he maintained close relationships with his teammates for the rest of his life.  He became an Eagles season ticket holder when they played at Franklin Field, and imbued his children with the same love for the team. His family has held the same season ticket seats ever since. He and Diane moved their growing family to a larger home in Broomall in 1970, where he remained until his final days.  Jerry was an avid card player and enjoyed card nights with friends and watching poker tournaments on TV.  Even in his final days he could be seen playing gin with his children.  After the passing of Diane in 2009, he married Ruth DiSantis, the widow of a dear old neighborhood friend. Ruth’s love and companionship helped him live into his 90’s.  With support from their families, Jerry and Ruth were able to live independently together until shortly before Jerry’s passing.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing from 9:00 – 9:45 am on Friday March 10, 2023 at St. Pius X Church, 220 Lawrence Road, Broomall, PA 19008, followed at 10:00 am by his Funeral Mass. They are also invited to a viewing from 10:00 – 11:00 am on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at D’Anjolell Memorial Home 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008, followed by a graveside interment at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, 1600 Sproul Road, Springfield, PA 19064.

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