Attilio DiGiacobbe

Attilio DiGiacobbe, 98, of Wilmington, Delaware passed away with his children by his side on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.  He was born in Tossicia,Teramo, Italy on November 26, 1922 to the late Michele and Clelia (D’Agostino) DiGiacobbe.  He came to the United States in 1936 as a 14 year old and lived in Tuckahoe, New York until moving to Wilmington in 1941.  Attilio enlisted in the United States Army and served in World War II before coming home to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad (Amtrak), from where he retired in 1987.  In addition to working for the railroad, he maintained his own business, Attilio DiGiacobbe and Sons, Inc. into his 80s.

Attilio and his wife, Gemma, brought their Italian traditions to America, where faith and family were the cornerstones of their life together.  He was a faithful 4th Degree Knights of Columbus member of the Bishop Mardaga Assembly, a member of the St. Pius X Council, and a devout Catholic.  One of his greatest accomplishments was painting the ceiling of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, where he was a member, for it’s 60th anniversary, touching up the statues each year for the Italian Festival, and selling candles for the church under the tutelage of Fr. Roberto Balducelli.  In his heyday, he and his wife traveled extensively and socialized with many friends in their Italian community.  He will be remembered fondly for his homemade wine, curing Italian meats, tending to his fig trees, making pizzelles thick like he liked, building, painting, and gardening.  He also loved to play poker up until the end, especially with his great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Attilio was predeceased by his loving wife of 72 years, Gemma (DiStefano) DiGiacobbe.

He is survived by his daughter, Joan Crozier (Barry); his son, Michael DiGiacobbe (Ingrid); his six grandchildren, Amy Haskins (Rick), Laura Crozier, Daniel DiGiacobbe (Tatum), Matthew DiGiacobbe (Nicole), Erin Pennypacker (Dave) and Jeffrey DiGiacobbe (Jill); as well as 11 great grandchildren, Ella, Andrew, Ben, Alessandro, Gianna, Gemma, Olivia, Emmy, Sophia, Callie and Alice.  In addition, he is survived by his sister, Rose Sabatino; his former daughter-in-law, Cheryl Sullivan (Billy); several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Thursday, March 11 from 10:00-11:15AM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 9th and DuPont Streets, Wilmington at 12:00PM, immediately followed by entombment in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Attilio may be made to St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 901 N. DuPont Street, Wilmington, DE 19805.

*PLEASE NOTE: Funeral arrangements for Attilio will be conducted in compliance with COVID-19 directives, which require mandatory face masks, social distancing and occupancy limits.

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