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Ernest Donne Obituary
AGE: 80 • Wilmington
Ernest P. Delle Donne (1934 -2015)
Ernie, Age 80, of Centreville, DE passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at Cadia Healthcare Center. He was the son of the late Joseph and Thomasine (Polico) Delle Donne.
Ernie is survived by his wife of 62 years Rita A. (Calvarese) Delle Donne, daughter Mary Jo Ganey (Dr. James N. Ganey) of Bradenton, FL and son Paul F. Delle Donne (Debbie) of Newark, DE. He was blessed with five wonderful grandchildren: James Ganey and Christopher Ganey of Bradenton, FL, Rachael Martin (Zach) of Kailua, HI, Aimee Delle Donne and Nicholas Delle Donne of Newark, DE; and his great grandson, Christopher Paul. He is also survived by his brother Joseph Delle Donne (Doris) and sister in law Francis Delle Donne of Wilmington, DE. He was predeceased by his brother Gabriel Delle Donne. He is also survived by a host of very special nieces and nephews.
Ernie was a proud 1952 graduate of Salesianum School. He was also a member of the Delaware Army National Guard, St. Anthony's of Padua Church and the Knights of Columbus Pius X Council. Ernie worked as a barber, contractor and manager at FIAT North American for many years. He returned to barbering after retirement, giving many haircuts beginning with "first haircuts" to several generations.
Visitation will be Wednesday, September 9th from 6 to 8 PM at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 901 N. DuPont Street, Wilmington, DE 19805, where Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, September 10th at 11 AM. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 100 W. 10th Street #1103, Wilmington, DE 19801 or to St. Anthony of Padua Church, at the above address. mealeyfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ernest Donne
Sponsored by Thomas D. Delle Donne.
Cynthia Johns-Nash
September 13, 2015
I will always have fond memories of our Fiat days. Rip Earnie my prayers are with your family
Shelly Marcozzi-Ploener
September 10, 2015
So sorry to hear of Mr. D's passing. Always a smile and kind word. Thinking of you all....
G.S. DeLillio
September 10, 2015
Quintessential man of dignity and social grace. It was always an enjoyable experience visiting Ernie's corner barber shop. One of best story tellers as he applied his trade. The last in a long line of memorable "Little Italy" barbers.
Joe (Butch) Dougherty
September 9, 2015
Rita and Delle Donne family My prayers are with you.RIP Ernie
Lynn DeLuca
September 9, 2015
Prayers to the family, he was my favorite acme customer! !
Peter Thursby
September 9, 2015
RIP Dear Friend and thanks for my first hair cuts and all the advice growing up.
Andrew Panaccione
September 9, 2015
Debbie and I extend our deepest sympathies to the entire Delle Donne family. I consider myself fortunate to have known Ernie and will miss him very much. Andrew
Bob and Helga Kern
September 9, 2015
Our prayers are for you and your family. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble."
Marian E. Burt
September 9, 2015
Rita,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband.
I don't know if you remember me, I was the cashier in the Woolworth's restaurant in Concord Mall and you and Ernie were two of my favorite customers. He was always smiling and so pleasant and we always had good conversations. My fondest memory of him is that he would always ask me Do you have a boyfriend yet and I would laugh and say not yet still looking.
May the memories of the life and love you shared comfort you in the days ahead.
George Anderson, Sr.
September 9, 2015
To Rita & family, I am sorry to hear of Ernie's passing. He was my barber and also my son's barber when he was at 8th and Dupont St. I stopped to see him 3 years ago in his new place and we enjoyed recalling the past. My sincere condolences.
George Anderson, Sr.
Teresa York
September 9, 2015
Paul,Debbie & Family
May God comfort you through your time of sorrow and help you through your sadness.We are here for you, if we can be of any help. Our Deepest Sympathy.
The York Family
Joe Marra
September 9, 2015
So sorry to hear about the passing of ernie.
Will forever be our hearts and prayers.
Trish Aitken
September 8, 2015
Paul I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. He was such a friendly man with a ready smile.
September 8, 2015
Paul,Debbie and family-Sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers with your family during this time.
Aaron and Lyn Hamrick
Tony & Lee DeGregory
September 8, 2015
Rita and family, please accept our condolences, sorry for your loss.
Ray Schafferman
September 8, 2015
To the Delle Donne family (PAUL) my sincerest condolences. May God Bless You all.
Linda Hardy
September 8, 2015
Aunt Rita, MaryJo and Paul. Uncle Ernie will be deeply missed. He was always loving and supportive and everyone that knew him knew his loving and caring nature. I have so many memories of times spent with him. God Bless you all in your time of sorrow. Love you and miss you always.
Jacqueline Delle Donne
September 8, 2015
Uncle Ernie was a beautiful soul, so kind, so caring and had the most wonderful smile. He will be dearly missed.
Regina Katz
September 8, 2015
Rita, MaryJo and Paul-I am so sorry for your loss. Ernie was such a wonderful man. He always knew how to make a person feel special. I will miss him dearly. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Tom Calvarese
September 7, 2015
To Rita and the Delle Donne Family,
On behalf of the Calvarese family, I offer my deepest condolences for your loss. Ernie was a great man who gave me very important and helpful advice at a critical time of my life, and I will always be grateful to him. You were very fortunate to have him in your life.
With love and blessings,
Tom Calvarese
Michael Rapposelli
September 7, 2015
Our prayers and deepest sympathy goes out to "Mrs. D." and the family of a great man. Anyone who knew him will remember him always for his generosity and love of life. May Christ hold a special place for MR. D!
Fred and Suzanne Giordano
September 7, 2015
Dear Mary Jo, Jim, Jim, and Christopher,
Very sorry to hear about the loss of your wonderful father, father in-law and grandfather. We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. and Mrs. Delle Donne on a couple of occasions over the years starting with your wedding in Wilmington. I know what I fine gentleman he was and I know how much you all and the entire family will miss him. Stay well. Love Fred and Suzanne Giordano
Charles Bellini
September 7, 2015
Ernie was a great freind and a wonderful person.He cut my hair as a kid and into adulthood. He served in the National Guard at a high
rank and inspired me to join also! They were Great times.
My prayers are with him and his family. He will never be forgotten! Saddened by his death!
Charlie Bellini
Bob Crawford
September 7, 2015
God saw you getting tired and so he put his arms around you and whispered, it's time to come home to me. Rest in Peace.
Buster
Karen Tambourelli
September 7, 2015
Rita and Family; I was saddened to hear of cousin Ernie's passing today. Mom and I remember him as a very kind and gentle man. May God fill your hearts with love at this sad time. May your memories of Ernie live on forever. Cousins Marlene Delle Donne Tambourelli and Karen Tambourelli
Theresa (Capodanno) Cara
September 6, 2015
Prayers to all the Family.
Gloria Fraticelli-Stone
September 6, 2015
Rita, Mary Jo and Paul,
So sorry for your loss. Ernie was a frequent vistor to the Fraticelli house, Mom and Dad loved him very much. May God comfort you during this difficult time. Love your cousin
Gloria Fraticelli-Stone
Pat Hemphill
September 6, 2015
My sincerest condolences to Rita, Mary Jo and Paul. Ernie was a great guy, and a better friend. He will be missed. R.I.P. my friend....'till we meet again. Love you buddy!
September 6, 2015
No more pain cuz! Rest in Peace.
Matthew Smolka
Cilinda LeGates
September 6, 2015
Rest in Peace
John Melson
September 6, 2015
My deepest condolences to Ernie's family. He cut my hair for years. Ernie was always a class act! Listening to the banter between Gus and Ernie in the shop always put a smile on my face. He'll be missed!
Christine Panaccione-Faraone
September 6, 2015
Ernie, You will be missed by many. I was always happy to see you out and about, you were one of my favorite cousins and reminded me of my grandfather, Alfred (Talley) Polico because you looked so much like him. I loved your smile and your kindness. The gates of heaven await you. Xoxoxo
Ed Stecher
September 6, 2015
Ernie was was a dear lifelong friend. I enjoyed the many conversations I shared with Rita and Ernie.
Today, for me , the world is al lesser place because of his passing.
Rita is a strong person , I pray that the suffering of a great loss will be tempered by a lifetime of wonderfull memories shared with Ernie.
God bless
Ed Stecher
Jim Collins
September 6, 2015
We have lost an important multi- generational bridge to to a simpler and probably better time and place. Ernie ,with his beloved wife Rita, spanned the generations from the post-depression to the computer era with a grace and wisdom we are grateful for. He and his friend and partner Gus Parodi entertained generations with their not- ready- for-Vegas barbershop banter in The Little Shop on the Hill adjacent to the St Anthony's where the guy next to you probably got his first haircut and the next customer through the door may have been your teacher or classmate from Sallies. Ernie was always grateful to the priests at Salesianum for the values they instilled and cut their hair for free-- leading to some of the more hilarious moments in The Little Shop when an unsuspecting customer would tell an off color joke --not recognizing the jean and sweatshirt clad priest in the group and sending all of us for cover. Ernie's long and happy life with Rita went well beyond the shop in Little Italy. As an executive for Fiat, Ernie loved to remember travels throughout Italy in a Ferrari-powered Dino Spider. God Rest, Ernie. Jim Collins
Bob Davis
September 6, 2015
I enjoyed going into the barbar shop and talking to Ernie when I lived in wilmingto. My sincere condolences to Ernie's family
Erica Stiles
September 6, 2015
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead. Uncle Ernie was a wonderful man and will be truly missed. He always had a smile on his face and kind words to say. I am so grateful I was able to see him last week and see that smile once more. I will carry his memory in my heart. God bless you all in your time of sorrow. I hope you can find comfort in all the beautiful memories you have of him. Rest in peace Uncle Ernie. I love you.
September 6, 2015
Rita and family,
Very sorry to hear of Ernie's death. I will always remember getting my hair cuts at 8th and DuPont street. Ernie was always a nice guy that would talk with you no matter how busy he was. may he rest in peace. You and him were a very good looking couple.
Ronnie Renai
Atlanta, GA
Ed Pollard
September 6, 2015
Ernie was my barber for my teen years. Only shop I can say I truly enjoyed going to largely because Ernie and Zorro made you feel comfortable and it was always entertaining. A truly nice man and a great barber. May he rest in peace.
September 6, 2015
So sorry to hear of your loss. Ernie was such a nice guy. He used to cut my hair at his shop on 8th and DuPont. He will be missed. In Sympathy,
John J Samluk
September 6, 2015
To the family of Ernie D: So sorry to read about the passing of Ernie. I was a class mate at Sallies, graduating in 1952.
Ed Morris
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