Angelo Anthony Daprano

Dr. Angelo A. Daprano, DDS, age 84. Passed away on October 25, 2021, in Las Vegas, NV. Loving brother of Arthur (wife, Judith) Daprano and the late John (wife Margaret) Daprano. Endearing uncle of Anthony (Emily) Daprano, John (Jodi) Daprano, Tony Daprano, Jodi Daprano (Adam Savin), Jennifer (Farid Zeinal); great uncle of Dominic and Lucia Daprano, Jazmin and Daizi Zeinal and Alexandria and Giavanna Daprano.

Angelo had a zest for life, an adventurous spirit, and a commitment and dedication to his friends and family. Angelo also had unique connections with his loyal and loving canine companions. It was rare to see him without one nuzzled at his side. He has been missed by his most recently adopted sweet little terrier, Buddy. He'd be delighted to know Buddy is loved in his new home.

Angelo's life began in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was born to Italian immigrants Tony and Louise (nee Santelli) Daprano on October 2, 1937.

Angelo, ambitious and driven, always worked to pay his way through the education that led to his full and exciting life.

Angelo attended Benedictine High School, class of 1955. There, a school counselor suggested he become a fruit peddler, followed by 'that's just what Italians do'. Determined to achieve more, he studied drafting until his dentist suggested dentistry. For the next eight years, while working a railroad job, Angelo earned his undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). In 1962, he joined the U.S. Army, which made Dental School possible on the G.I. Bill.

After graduating in 1967, Dr. Daprano worked at public health hospitals in New York City and Washington State, before returning to Cleveland to study orthodontics, again at CWRU. After completing the program in 1971, he apprenticed in Florence, Italy, before settling in the San Francisco Bay Area and opening his practice.

While immersed in Orthodontics, Dr. Daprano became a partner in Confetti, a chocolate shop in San Francisco. The success of Confetti allowed Angelo to leave the three-office practice and launch a second career. He went on to open four restaurants, partner in a creative retail endeavor, and establish Daprano & Company, which imported the world's finest confections. During this second career, combining his love of food and travel, he organized and led restaurant and factory tours throughout Europe, most often in Italy.

Angelo retired in 2002 and divided his time between San Francisco, Las Vegas, and traveling the world, often inviting, and generously treating friends and family to join him in Las Vegas or on his travels - sharing his zest for life and his appreciation of exquisite meals, entertainment, fine art, museums, and enchanting cathedrals.

When in San Francisco, he enjoyed social outings and lunch and dinner gatherings with longtime friends, visits with family, afternoons in the garden beside his fountain, and walking about and relaxing on the bench at the Palace of Fine Arts with his canine companions.

When in Las Vegas, he enjoyed dining and lively entertainment with close friends. And golfed mornings with other retirees that soon became part of his social circle. Angelo had learned to play golf in his teen years, by closely studying golfers at Ridgewood Golf Course, where he worked as a caddy. He was also an active member of local Italian social clubs.

When traveling, Angelo routinely visited friends and the families of the Italian companies whose foods he once imported. He had developed lifelong relationships which endured long after retiring from his business. In addition to Italy, where he went each year, Angelo found his way to nearly all the continents.

In 2019, to honor the memory and legacy of his parents, Angelo created the Tony and Louise Daprano Memorial Scholarship Fund, and established the Angelo A. Daprano partnership for Orthodontic Excellence to provide opportunities for CWRU students.

In the year leading up to his untimely death, Angelo never quite let anyone know the extent of his declining health. At most, a playful statement about meeting his maker and hoping he'd be pleased. I am certain his maker was met with a warm embrace, but all too soon. Angelo touched many lives and will be deeply missed.

A private ceremony was held at The Italian Cemetery in Colma, CA, where Angelo rests in peace, beside his mother Louise, just as he wished.

We will be celebrating his life, at his San Francisco home, on what would have been his 85th Birthday -- October 2, 2022.