D. John Lillo

D. John Lillo, 82, longtime resident and businessman of Atascadero passed peacefully from this earthly life Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003.

Please join John and Dalla's family, Linda Mora, Richard and Nancy Lillo, Ann and Tony Burgess, Michael Lillo, Robert Lillo and grandchildren in the celebration of a life well-lived at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Rancho Del Bordo clubhouse, 10025 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

John was born in Cook County, Ill. to Pasquale and Mary Lillo. The family moved to Atlas, Pa. when John was a young boy. He joined the Army from there, and was discharged in southern California. He traveled with a friend to Atascadero, where a series of events left him to acquaint himself with the area and get to know some of the people. One of the main social events at the time was the Grange dance held in the Grange hall, and it was at one of those dances that he met Dalla. They married in 1948. John worked as a bricklayer and started his own masonry company, D. John Lillo Masonry. He worked on or built many of the buildings in the county that feature masonry - including the San Luis Obispo Vets hall, San Luis Obispo police department, Atascadero's Gem Auto Parts, Larsen's Body Shop, and many others.

He built his first house on a lot that was intersected by the then new Highway 101 project. That lot later became his business supply yard, and is now occupied by the Atascadero Carrows restaurant.

John and Dalla built their second house in Cambria. There, they raised a family of five children, expanded the business, took on other ventures including the Cuckler dealership, metal buildings, set up a masonry supply business in Cambria, and began to think about Australia.

They took a trip down under in 1970, and in short order were ready to retire from the business and move to Australia, which they did in 1972. Economics dictated a

return within a couple of years, but they continued to visit on a regular basis. Meanwhile, they traveled extensively, made life-long friends everywhere they went, and enjoyed their family, to whom they chronicled their journeys in regular letters home, and in slide shows upon their return.

After losing Dalla, his wife of 54 years, John continued to travel to Australia, where he visited his daughter Ann. He was in fact planning yet another journey to Australia when the destination was changed.

Donations in John's name may be made to the Central Coast Memorial Society or Hospice.