DiBella, Frank Joseph
DiBella, Frank Joseph
Frank DiBella’s remarkable life came to an end on May 4, 2017. Frank was born on January 2, 1926 in Mascali, Catania, Sicily, the second of three sons to Rosario DiBella and Agatina Bartolotta.
Frank is survived by two sons, Rosario C. (Tino) Di Bella (Denise, Deceased), and Mario Joseph Di Bella (Lorraine), and five grandchildren: Jacob Peter DiBella (Anna) and great-grandson, Simon Kristensen, Beth Marie Piorecky (Jan) and great-grandson, Sawyer Aaron, Cara Annie Di Bella, Adam Mario Di Bella and Aimee Noelle Di Bella, one brother-in-law, Thomas D’Aquino (Susan) and one sister-in-law Alice Pippi (Emilio, Deceased), 2 nieces (Marianne and Lynn), 1 nephew (Mario) and many cousins.
Frank completed his compulsory military service to Italy and was proud to be a Carabinieri, the national gendarmerie of Italy. While a Carabinieri, Frank had the privilege of guarding the last King of Italy.
In 1951 Frank emigrated to Nelson, BC, worked at various mines, logging camps and at Kootenay Forest Products before starting his career as an electrician and businessman. In August, 1953, Frank married Edi Di Bella (Pippi) and together they formed a family partnership that lasted until 1984. Frank was an electrical contractor in the Kootenays for more than 50 years, founding DiBella Electric Ltd. in 1966.
Frank was a founding member of the Nelson Italian Canadian Society and served as its President 3 times. Frank was a proud Italian who never forgot his homeland but embraced Canada, becoming a Citizen in 1957 and was a proud Canadian.
Prayers will be held at the Cathedral of Mary Immaculate, 813 Ward Street, Nelson, BC, on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 7:00 pm. Funeral mass will take place at the Cathedral on Friday, May 19, 2017 at 10:00 am, Father Cecil Nunez as Celebrant. Private interment will follow at the Nelson Memorial Park Cemetery.
As an expression of sympathy, family and friends may make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society (1-800-667-3742) www.alzheimer.ca/bcor to the Kootenay Lake District Hospital (250-354-2334) www.klhf.org
Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.
