William V. Dinello, Sr.

William V. “Bill” Dinello, Sr., 99, of Clearwater, Florida, formerly of Washington, died on Monday-December 30, 2019. He was born January 20, 1920 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Donato and Rose Pulcini Dinello. He was one of eight children and remained close with his extended family throughout his life.

Bill was a 1938 graduate of Beaver Falls High School. He enlisted to serve in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and served in aircraft support and maintenance. After his honorable discharge from the service, Bill met Giovanna M. Troiani at a Sons of Italy 4th of July celebration in New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1947 and that was it.  On October 19, 1949 they married in Immaculate Conception Church. They spent almost all the 70 years of their marriage living in Washington, where they raised their children.  In later years, they also lived in Oakland, California, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Clearwater, Florida, with their children.

In his early years, Bill worked as a salesman for Budweiser and in a dry cleaning business.  After running a small post-surgical appliance and prosthetic business in the Jenkins Arcade in Pittsburgh for several years, Bill began what would be a career of more than 35 years with the Kroger Company grocery stores.  He worked in stores on Beau Street, at Donaldson’s Crossroads, and finally at Century Plaza in West Mifflin before he retired.

Bill, also affectionately called “Nattie,” gave freely of himself in time, service, and friendship, never expecting anything in return.  He was known for his kindness.  He looked after many of his elderly neighbors on Duncan Avenue, shoveling snow, mowing lawns, attending to them when they needed his help.  He also looked out for the neighborhood kids offering advice, both requested and unsolicited.  He loved having a big, family or holiday meal around a table that extended from the dining room into the living room to make space for old or new friends.  He often served his new batch of homemade wine, which his children jokingly referred to as “rocket fuel.”  

Bill was active in the community.  He was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Church, where for a time he served on the parish council.  Bill was a former member of the Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus Council #1083 and the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post #175.  He coached both high school and semi-professional teams.  He worked on election days in the 7th Ward polling station.  He also organized Washington’s first newspaper recycling fundraising effort in the early 1980s, where he spent every Saturday “rain or shine” with volunteers collecting and bundling tons of newspapers to raise money for Immaculate Conception High School.  

Bill was quick with a wry one-liner, a smile or a helping hand, whatever the situation required.  But, he was happiest in the precious times that he spent with his entire family.  He made a special effort to stay connected with friends and relatives in Beaver Falls.  For years, he made the trip to Beaver Falls almost every Sunday.  He will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Giovanna and his children, Donato Dinello of Clearwater, Florida, William Dinello, Jr. (Natalia) of Washington, D.C., Father John Dinello (Sharon) of Pittsburgh and Michael Dinello (Judy) of Wexford; Joanne Dinello Karchmer (Scott) of Oakland, California; ten grandchildren, Donnie, Jaime, Pami, Iliya, Michael, William, Angelina, Nathan, Carrie, Katie and three step grandchildren Amanda, Kristy, Nick, and four great grandchildren also survive, Quinn, Layna, Archer and Dominic. 

Bill was preceded in death by five brothers, Louis, Derno, John, Edward, and Liberio Dinello and by two sisters, Mary Pelino and Alice Lombardo.  

Friends will be received on Friday-January 10, 2020 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home Inc., Wilson at East Katherine Ave., Washington, S. Timothy Warco, Supervisor/Director, Susan Falvo Warco, Director, S. Timothy Warco II, Director.  A prayer service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday-January 11, 2020 in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church, Washington. Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.