Daniel R. Pisanelli

DANIEL R. PISANELLI

1939 - 2023

Dan Pisanelli, the only son of the late Natale and Teresa Pisanelli, passed away shortly after midnight on September 15, 2023. Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Dan, his parents and his sisters Angelina, Diana and Bettina, lived for many years on South 8th Street, behind the Vilotti & Marinelli Bakery where Natale worked.

The V&M Bakery, as it was sometimes known, was a huge part of Dan's life. He began working as a nighttime baker during his teens, mixing dough and baking bread while most others slept. The company relocated to South 11th Street, and Dan eventually moved from standing in front of the ovens to sitting behind a desk, in order to learn the business before assuming the role of president after his father's death in 1982. Over the years, many family members worked at the bakery, which produced delicious Italian breads and rolls for local restaurants and hoagie shops, including Philadelphia institutions Bookbinder's, Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks. In honor of the family legacy, Dan renamed the company Vilotti & Pisanelli Baking Co. before the business was sold in 2006.

Dan was also a devoted family man. In 1959, he married Anita, another South Philadelphia native, whom he began dating after spotting her in Catherine's, a candy store on South 7th Street. They lived in South Philly for a few years and had two daughters, Dana and Tammy, before moving to Southwest Philadelphia, where their son Daniel was born. Both Dan and Anita relished spending time with and doting on their family, which eventually grew to include three beloved grandchildren, Mark, Michelle and Gary, Jr., and three great-grandchildren, Briella, Logan and Jaxson.

In the 1970s, Dan and Anita embraced the Charismatic movement in the Catholic Church and helped form a prayer group at their parish, St. Irenaeus. They also became Eucharistic ministers, visiting those who were sick or homebound. Anita passed away in 2004, shortly after she and Dan moved to Delaware County. Despite losing his wife, Dan's faith in, and devotion to, the Lord remained tremendously strong until the end of his life. He will be fondly and gratefully remembered for praying with (and for) countless family members, friends, acquaintances and even strangers, as well as counseling and ministering to those who sought spiritual help and guidance. He was especially devoted to St. Michael the Archangel and Padre Pio, who famously said: "Pray, hope and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer."

Known for his great laugh and sense of humor, Dan was masterful at telling jokes. He competed in a bowling league in his younger years, but an injury soon limited him to spectator sports. A loyal Phillies and Eagles fan and typical Philadelphian, he went to bed happy after his teams won but complained about them when they did not. He was a film buff, Frank Sinatra fan, science fiction aficionado, and voracious reader, among many interests. With a business and family to tend to, he was not able to travel as often as he would have liked until his later years, when he spent considerable time in Florida; he particularly enjoyed socializing with dear cousins in Clearwater.

Dan was predeceased by his parents and his wife. Survivors include his three children and a son-in-law (Gary); three grandchildren and their spouses (Ashley and Jordan); three great-grandchildren; three sisters and a brother-in-law (Eugene); plus many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. A warm, caring and generous man, Dan will be greatly missed by all.

Visitation with the family was held on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at the Logan-Videon Funeral Home in Broomall, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial took place the following day at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Broomall.

The family welcomes and greatly appreciates donations in Dan's memory to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (lustgarten.org); the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (mannapa.org); or other charitable organizations devoted to cancer research or providing food to those in need.