Joseph P DiRollo was called to heaven on March 5, 2021 He was 92.
Joseph DiRollo, 92, passed away March 5. His funeral will be held on March 23.
A resident of Norwalk for 61 years, Joe was a small business owner in Darien for 21 years and 10 years in Greenwich.
Born on Feb. 18, 1929 in Mamaroneck, New York, to Theresa and Peter DiRollo. Joe grew up with four sisters and four brothers.
At a young age while attending school he would often work at jobs to earn extra money. Knowing how hard it was for his family to get jobs during the Depression, he would give any money earned to his mother. He was a very devoted son.
He attended F.E. Bellows High School where he was class president for two years and was extremely well liked. In addition, he excelled at football (his jersey was No. 86), track and any sport he tried. He was a good team member.
After graduating high school; he enlisted in the Army where he worked in procurement. It was during this time that he became engaged to marry his sweetheart, Mary Alonzo.
Once his commission was completed, Joe attended Westchester College where he earned his degree in mechanical engineering, in which he worked for many companies until he was 35.
It was at this time he took a chance at owning his own business, with his wife by his side.
Joe and Mary moved to Connecticut, where they had two daughters and a son. Whenever Joe took his family out to dinner he would say, “Order whatever you like,” and he meant it! Generous to fault he always felt sorry for the underdog, and would accept checks that without a doubt would bounce!
Dad ran the business and Mom handled all the finances. Together they were a great team! Although at times it became a challenge, as when Dad loved to feed the homeless and Mom would tease him and say, “Joe, I know what we’ll do — we hang a big sign that says free soup and bread, and you can feed the hungry all day long.” This is a little insight into there relationship and how they balanced each other and showed there love.
Joe loved many things: playing golf, gardening and horses, which he owned for a time. He enjoyed racing the horses and taking care of them himself. Throughout the years Joe worked long hours so that he could provide his wife and children with the best he could.
He retired at 76, after suffering from carpel tunnel syndrome. But He never became idle, always getting part time jobs.
He was very devoted to his wife, especially after she became ill. Even after his children tried to send him on a trip to Italy; he said, “No, I can’t go without your mother.” He would never leave her.
Joe is survived by his two daughters: Dana DiRollo of Norwalk and Cheryl DiRollo of Scottsadale, Arizona; his son, Mark DiRollo of New Canaan; his three sisters: Philamenia, Francis and Mary; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; Linda Esposito, Marliena Esposito and Lisa Esposito Khan and her husband Mohamed and Michael DiRollo all of Cary, North Carolina; Peter Margotta, Sue Margotta, Stephanie and Carol Ann. Howard Eberwein Jr., Ann Eberwein, Theresa Tocci, Daniel LaRusso, Ricky LaRusso Wendy LaRusso and Peter DiRollo.
He is predeceased by his wife Mary, his sister in law Rosalyn DiRollo and her husband James J. DiRollo Sr., his nephew James J. DiRollo Jr., along with his brothers, Angelo and Thomas, and his sister, Gloria DiRollo Tocci, and their husbands; his mother, Theresa DiRollo, and father, Peter DiRollo.
Joe was a parishioner at St. Mathews Church and a honorary member of Wee Burn Country Club. He enjoyed a healthy life until he was 91. As he turned 92, cancer robbed him of a few more years. But we are all grateful that he did not have to suffer any more.
He was a devoted husband, father and employer. Loyal to fault, even if it meant he had to take the difficult path, that’s what he would do! Mary and Joe left their children a legacy — their love and the home they all grew up in. Rest, my warrior, it is time to lay your sword down, rest.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donation to the American Cancer Society.
A memorial Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m., March 23, 2021 at St. Matthew’s Church, 216 Scribner Ave., Norwalk