Hermando DePaoli Obituary

HERMANDO DEPAOLI OF POTTSTOWN Hermando "Martin" DePaoli died Friday morning, February 1, 2013 in the Sanatoga Center, Pottstown, PA. Born in Reading, PA, he was the son of Alfred and Theresa DePaoli. He was married to the late Anne Rita (DiGuiseppe) DePaoli for 60 years. He was a graduate of Washington High School, Class of 1933 and the America Technical Institute. He also attended Villanova University. He worked at the Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company. He was employed as a Tool Maker at the Dana Corporation for 34 years. He served on the Apprenticeship Committee for 22 years and was a delegate to the Skill Trades Council of the UAW-CIO. He was a member of The Sacred Heart Parish in Royersford and served on the Building Committee for Sacred Heart Church and School. He was also a member of The Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus, Phoenixville Council, No. 1374 and The Men of Malvern. He was a War Veteran of the U.S. Navy and served on Neutrality Patrol in 1939 as Crew Member of The Heavy Cruiser, U.S.S. Quincy. In 1940, he served on board the recommissioned World War 1 Destroyer, U.S.S. Dallas, 199 in the North Atlantic. He served on the Destroyer Escort., U.S.S. Kenneth M. Willett, DE 354. He participated in the invasion of the Philippines and Okinawa. He was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with the Bronze star for battle action in the South Pacific. He was discharged as a Machinist Mate 1st Class in October 1945. He was one of seven brothers who all served in the Armed Forces. Surviving are three sons, Edward DePaoli; Thomas DePaoli and wife, Theresa, and Anthony DePaoli; two daughters, Carol Anne DePaoli and Rosemary DePaoli, M.D. and husband, John Nelson; six grandchildren, Thomas Liberatore DePaoli and wife, Carolina; Joseph DePaoli and wife, Sharon; Roseanne DePaoli and fianc, Rmy Thenot-Siegel; Sylvia, Daniel, and Elizabeth Kresock; one great-grandson, Thomas Joshua DePaoli, and two sisters, Mrs. Rose Calcinore and Mrs. Josephine Nesspor. He was a Life Member of The Humane Fire Company, and The Friendship Fire Company. He played Semi-Pro Football for the Royersford A.A. Football Team. He was a Charter Member of The V.F.W. Post in Royersford. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 9, 2013, at the Sacred Heart Church, 838 Walnut Street in Royersford. Officiating will be the Rev. Peter J. DiMaria. Friends will be received from 9 - 10 a.m. Saturday morning at the Church. There will be no viewing. Burial will be in the Holy Trinity Cemetery, Phoenixville, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart Church, PO Box 64, 838 Walnut Street, Royersford, PA 19468. Condolences may be made and the video tribute may be viewed by visiting www.RoyersfordFuneralHome. The Cattermole - Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington Street, Royersford, PA, is in charge of the arrangements.

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Published by The Mercury from Feb. 1 to Feb. 2, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Hermando DePaoli

Sponsored by His Loving Son Tom.

7 Entries

Captain Tom DePaoli

June 10, 2020

Memorial Day Ironbottom Sound and MM1Martin Marty DePaoli USN

They call it Ironbottom Sound" (alternatively Iron Bottom Sound or Ironbottomed Sound) it is the name given by Allied sailors to Savo Sound, near Guadalcanal.
My father, Marty, has a strong connection to what happened there.
During the late 1930s my father, MM1 Marty DePaoli, served four years in the Navy as a machinist mate on board USS Quincy (CA-39), which was a United States Navy New Orleans class heavy cruiser. He was very close to all his shipmates and cruised around the world and went on the Neutrality Cruise. He left the Navy in late 1939. He got out just in time, right before Hitler invaded Poland. After the invasion the Navy did not allow anyone to get out. This was sort of a stop loss or backdoor draft, so most of his shipmates were not allowed to leave at all. He then took a really good job as an aircraft engine machinist in civilian life.
When Pearl Harbor happened, the aircraft company thought so highly of him, that they offered to support a deferment for him. He had in fact already served four years in the Navy. He did not have to serve again at all. He refused the deferment, and he enlisted again in the Navy, even though he did not have to go. I did not learn about this until I got his Navy records after he died. Most people who knew him will not be surprised that he scored off the charts (99% +) on mechanical and electrical Navy aptitude tests.
When he enlisted, he requested to be stationed on his old ship the USS Quincy (CA-39). He knew the ship and his former shipmates very well. At that time however, it was in dry-dock being refurbished and up-gunned and armored. The Navy denied his request and rushed him directly to the fleet (on a destroyer) because they needed all the experienced prior service Navy personnel possible. The Japanese were winning everywhere.
Shortly later in the war, his old ship, the one he requested to be on, the USS Quincy (CA-39) was sunk at the Battle of Savo Island in 1942 with great loss of life (almost the entire crew) and lies at Ironbottom Sound. My Dad didnt hear about it until six months later. At that time the U.S. government censored the loss because of morale issues and the fact that the Japanese were still winning everything.
When I was on active duty at the Navy Yard in Washington DC, (I was recalled to active Navy duty for four years after 9/11) I would often visit my Dad on weekends in Royersford. I obtained a photograph of his old ship the USS Quincy (CA-39) from the Navy museum on base. Only black and white photos exist and I brought it home for Dad.
My Dad looked at the photo and went very quiet and teared up. He reluctantly started to talk about it; I could tell it brought back memories and much sadness.
Then one of the most incredible experiences of my life happened. People who knew my Dad knew he was a great storyteller. My Dad started to talk about many of his old dead shipmates. He would state their name and rate, describe them and tell stories about their adventures, hijinks, things they did on liberty and what hometown they were from. This went on for over an hour. I just listened in awe. My Dad was in his nineties but his mind and memories were still razor sharp. For this one hour my Dad had honored his dead shipmates and brought them back to life for me. We never talked about the USS Quincy (CA-39) again after this.
If my Dad had gotten his wish on his second Navy enlistment and been assigned to the USS Quincy (CA-39), my family and me would not be here today. He lost all of his old shipmates, who were more that brothers to him, who now rest at Ironbottom Sound. My Dad understood ultimate sacrifice and greatly missed his old shipmates. On this Veterans Day lets honor my Dad, his USS Quincy (CA-39) shipmates, and all who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.
Captain Tom DePaoli USN Retired

Tom DePaoli

June 3, 2020

Dad was quite the Notre Dame Football fan. He cheered loud during the games at home that he watched on TV. He also was present at the UCLA basketball streak stop game. January 19, 1974 ND won 71-70. We also attended the ND-Navy football game then.

Greatest ND Fan and ex-quarteback

Thomas DePaoli

February 2, 2014

I miss you Dad! You were always there for me and helped me and my family immensely. I hope I can live the rest of my life guided by your example.

Rosemary DePaoli

February 1, 2014

Thank you for remembering our Dad. He was a wonderful father and we miss him very much. We were so blessed to have such great parents, and we hope they are rejoicing in heaven.

Marilyn (Grubb) Long

February 5, 2013

Although I did not know Mr. DePaoli personally, I grew up hearing his name frequently in our household because of my father's work relationship with him. My father was very fond of him and I'm sure that my Dad, Donald Grubb, will miss him greatly. My prayers go out to his family and friends and may you find comfort or solace that he is with our Lord. God Bless, Marilyn Long

Donald & Margaret Grubb

February 2, 2013

One of the finest personal friends I and my family had the honor of sharing life's journey. As a thirty year co-worker 'Marty' personally guided me in becoming a tradesman,a leader in a trade union,a better family man, and awareness of the love of God and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Margaret and I extend our sympathy to all.

Michelle Gappa Lampkin, SPX'73

February 1, 2013

Dear Rosemary, Sincere sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your father. May his soul Rest in Peace.

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