Antonio Fanelli

Antonio Fanelli was born on December 5, 1935, in Grumo Appula, Italy, son of Donato and Rosa (Cascione) Fanelli. He married Leonarda Urbano in 1965 in Italy and came to the United States shortly after, bringing with him his newly wedded wife, his parents and seven siblings. Here he started his own family and together they had four children, Donato, Giuseppe, Rosa, and Frank.

He was a man that could split an olive tree and make it whole again. He could splice two different fruits and make them one whole. He held the reins to keep his family together yet loosened them when it was time to let go. With a firm grip and a soft hand, he allowed his family to sprout and watch them grow. He was a man of the land and a man of great pride.

His five grandchildren, Anthony, Luca, Antonia, Domenico, and Giovanna will never know the joy they brought him.

God Bless you Dad and thank you.