Tribute to Maggarino R.
"Major" Dalessandro K3IGO
May 15, 1922 - September 1, 2012
2006 Breezeshooters Hamfest in Butler, PA
W3FYV, K8CX, K3IGO
W3FYV, K3IGO, K3MMM
W3FYV, N3LY, K3IGO, K3MMM
Major R. Dalessandro K3IGO:
Meteorology and ham radio were among the veteran’s hobbies.
Major R. Dalessandro, Farrell, passed away at 12:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, in Whispering Oaks, Hermitage, where he
lived for the last three months. He was 90.
Mr. Dalessandro was born May 15, 1922, in Farrell, a son of
Pasquale and Rose Sciortino Dalessandro.
He attended Farrell High School until he withdrew his junior
year, due to the unexpected death of his father, and he went to
work at the former Carnegie Steel. He then was called into the
military and served as a radio operator with the U.S. Army during
World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home
and completed his GED.
Major retired from the former Sharon Transformer Division of
Westinghouse Electric Corp., where he was employed for more than
35 years as an instrument and calibration repairman in the meter
room department.
Major was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church,
Farrell, and a member of its Bethony Club and Holy Name Society.
He also was a member of the Italian American War Veterans
Association and Farrell American Legion.
Major had numerable talents and hobbies. He was licensed in short
wave and ham radio communications and was a member of the Mercer
County Ham Radio Club, call letters K3IGO. He served as the
Shenango Valley meteorology reporter for Stan Boney at WYTV,
Youngstown.
He enjoyed metal working-blacksmithing, machine shop work,
welding, leather craft, oil painting, calligraphy, cooking,
jewelry-making, traveling and gardening which included a grape
arbor. His entrepreneurial spirit encouraged him to start
Dalessandro Trading Co., which was an import/export business that
specialized in black forest cuckoo clocks imported from Germany,
and Tam-Dale Photography. He was also a real estate agent and
inventor.
Major had a thirst for knowledge and was an avid reader of
medical journals, encyclopedias and philosophy. His most recent
purchase was a calculus and trigonometry DVD. He was the
recipient of many awards at Westinghouse for his suggestions in
process improvement and innovative ideas. His journalistic
talents led him to be the editor of The Holy Name Society’s
publication, The Word; The Meter Room Meteorites; and the Khaki
Keynotes in the Army.
Throughout his life, Major completed several correspondence
courses and received certificates for successful completion. He
was multi-lingual, speaking five languages fluently. Family
gatherings were important to him and he was proud to have started
the Dalessandro potato roast and Fourth of July picnic, which
have become family traditions.
His wife of 56 years, the former Ida R. Palladino, whom he
married July 8, 1944, passed away Sept. 30, 2000.
Surviving are: a daughter, Idamarie Felix and husband John, New
Wilmington; two sons, Raymond P. Dalessandro and his wife Gina,
Stow, Ohio; and Ronald M. Dalessandro and his wife Michelle,
Grand Rapids, Mich.; four grandchildren, Marisa Dalessandro and
her boyfriend Louie Pisiani; Alysse Dalessandro, Nick Dalessandro
and Alexa Dalessandro; and two brothers, Tony Dalessandro and his
wife Anna Mae, founders of Luigi’s Pizza, Hermitage; and Lou
Dalessandro and his wife Dorothy, Sharon.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Major was preceded in
death by two brothers, Joseph and Philip Dalessandro.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Our Lady of
Fatima-St. Ann Church, 601 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, PA 16121.
Major R., 90, Farrell, PA.
Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday (9-4-12) in J. BRADLEY
McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, Inc., 1090 E. State St.,
Sharon.
Service: Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Wednesday (9-5-12)
in Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell, with the Rev.
Donald E. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant.
I did know Major and I know his brother Tony.
When I was about 13 yrs old, I was visiting my cousin Mike
WN3BLD, now K3VK in Farrell. We walked down to Tony's pizza shop.
There was a quad on the roof and either Tony or Major was on the
air. I remember the very impressive DX100 he was using. I stood
and watched for a minute and then the mic was handed to me. I
didnt choke, I gave some guy on 40 meters AM (I think) my info
and handed the mic to Mike. This was very exciting for me. I had
my novice at this time. This was either 1963 or 1964...
Thanks to Bill W8CXO for sending me the info on Major.
Tom K8CX
Info courtesy of The Sharon
Harold, W8CXO, K8CX, W5KNE
Breezeshooter Hamfest photos courtesy of W3FYV