Daniel A. Lello

Daniel A. Lello, 75, the mayor of Dupont Borough, died Saturday morning at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Twp., after a battle with ALS.

His widow is the former Elaine Bartoli. The couple would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 21.

An avid golfer, self-proclaimed scotch connoisseur, and dancer extraordinaire, Dan was a legend, at least in his own mind. Silly, selfless and compassionate, he enjoyed goofing off with his grandchildren as he was always a kid at heart. Dan and his bride enjoyed traveling, especially to Italy and to visit their daughter in Vermont, as well as spending time with their dear friends and family around a table full of delicious food.

Dan was elected to his fourth term as mayor this past November. Over the decades, he spent countless hours volunteering his time as he held great pride for his community. He was a hard worker and never let anything stop him. Although the disease took away his voice and slowed him down, his spirit remained unchanged. He has touched so many people and will be deeply missed.

Dan was born in Pittston, son of the late Anthony Lello and Mary Melnick Lello Sergott. He was a graduate of Northeast High School, Class of 1964; Luzerne County Community College, Class of 1970; and King's College, Class of 1972.

He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He was an air traffic controller stationed at the McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., and the Ubon Air Force Base, Thailand.

He worked in retail and food sales starting with W.T. Grants then Rite Aid, Bevaco/US Foods, and retired from Maines Food Service. After retirement, Dan was employed as a school van driver for Pace Transportation until his diagnosis in June of 2021.

Dan was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Dupont, and past lector, and president of the Holy Name Society of the Church. He was past president of the Dupont Lions Club and a member of the VFW Post 4909, the Polish American Citizens Club, and the Italian American Social and Civic Club, all of Dupont. He was also a member of The Pennsylvania State Mayors' Association.

The family would like to thank the medical staff at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Community Living Center for the care and compassion over the last two months of Dan's life.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Chester and Aldina Bartoli; and a sister-in-law, Patricia Ann Lello.

He is survived by a son, Chad Michael Lello and wife, Katie, Moosic; daughter, Danelle Lello Birong and husband, Matthew, Vergennes, Vt.; grandchildren, Ryan, Kristen, Shea, C.J. and Lorenzo; brother, Thomas Lello and wife, Deborah, Moosic; brother-in-law, Carlo Bartoli and wife, Rose, Old Forge; nephew, A.J. Lello; and niece, Carissa Bartoli-Dublin.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday from Lokuta-Zawacki Funeral Home, 200 Wyoming Ave., Dupont, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 215 Lackawanna Ave., Dupont, to be celebrated by the Rev Thomas Petro, pastor. Entombment will be in the Italian American Cemetery Mausoleum, Minooka.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

The members of the Dupont Lions Club will gather at 6 p.m. Thursday for a service and then the Holy Name Society will gather at 6:30 p.m. for the recitation of the rosary.

Military honors will be performed by the Greater Pittston AMVETS Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dupont Lions Club, 329 Main St., Dupont, PA 18641.