Frank Dalla Valle Jr., 95, of Apple Valley, CA passed peacefully on March 1, 2021. He was born in June of 1925 in Oak Park, IL to his Italian immigrant father Frank Dalla Valle Sr. and Minnie (Buffo) Dalla Valle. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in WWII aboard the USS Randolph and USS Solomon.
When he came home, his dad insisted he get a job. So, on one of the coldest days of December in 1946, he went to work for Illinois Bell on the frigid streets of Chicago. Later in his career, he became an engineer with the company now AT&T and retired after 38years of service.
At the ripe old age of 30, he gave up his bachelorhood and married the first love of his life, Kathleen (Kay) Sherman. They spent a wonderful life with their three sons in Hanover Park, IL, until Kay's death in 1991. In his retirement, Frank was always very giving of his time to help people and his community. Every year he could be seen on the corner of Barrington Rd. and Irving Park Rd. collecting for "Lion's Club Candy Day." He was a lifetime member of the Lions Club. After many years of community service including several terms as a village trustee from the 1970s into the early 80s, in 1994 he was honored by being named the Cook County Sheriff's "Citizen of the Year Award."
About this same time, Frank reconnected with an old friend of his and Kay's, Alfreda Aiello. He asked her for dinner to catch up and the rest was history. They were married in 1996 and relocated to Apple Valley, CA in 1998.
In 2013, Frank spent what he described was "the best weekend ever" on an "Honor Flight" to Washington DC to visit the WWII memorial. He was greeted there by representatives of Congressman Paul Cook with a congressional acknowledgement of his service during WWII.
Frank is survived by his wife of 25 years, Alfreda (Waide) Dalla Valle, sons Frank (Lorna), Stephen (Nancy), daughter-in-law Joanne. Grandchildren Kristen (Kevin), Michelle (Drew), Dan, Katelyn; great grandchildren; Eloise, Fitzgerald, Jacob and Vivienne. Niece Kim (Barry) Sutliff. Also, his step children; Michelle, Michael (Becky); step grandchildren, Anthony, Michael, Jack and Holly. All loved their "Papa D."
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Sr. and Minnie (Buffo) Dalla Valle; his wife Kathleen, brother and sister-in-law Nick and Faith Dalla Valle, and son Robert "Bert" Dalla Valle. A memorial and visitation will be scheduled for May 15th at Countryside Funeral Home in Streamwood, IL. Burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Elgin, IL.
It was Frank's wish that any donations in his name be made to:
Honor Flight San Diego, 9423 Keck Court, San Diego, CA 92129