Well-known local musician and restaurateur Francis J. "Frank" DiNunzio Sr. died Monday, Feb. 14, 2005, in Masonic Villages, Elizabethtown. DiNunzio, 91, Hummelstown, was the husband of Evelyn M. Blessing DiNunzio, with whom he would have celebrated a 65th wedding anniversary on April 13. Born May 28, 1913, in Ambler, he was a son of the late Nicholas and Frances DelGudice DiNunzio. DiNunzio's career spanned seven decades. He was a self-employed musician playing with several bands including: Eddie Kohr, Artie Zeller's Hotel Weimer Band, Ira Bowman's Society Band, Merry Maker's, Lebanon Valley College Symphony, Reg Kehoe Band, Larry Clinton, Tony Pastor, Jimmy Dorsey, Charlie Spivak and Joe Venuti Band. He also played backup with Reg Kehoe for the New York City Roxy-ettes and for the Perry Como Band. He played with various bands, most notably the German Band at Hersheypark for 32 years. DiNunzio began his career as the owner of DiNunzio's Shoe Repair Shop in Annville in the 1930s. In the 940s, he moved the shop to South Railroad Street in Palmyra. He operated DiNunzio's Restaurant on North Railroad Street in Palmyra in the mid 1940s before building the Green Terrace in Annville in 1948. He operated the Green Terrace until 1968 before opening DiNunzio's Restaurant in Hershey, which he operated until 1979. He was a member of St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in Hershey, Hershey-Palmyra Sertoma Club, Hummelstown Lions Club, Lebanon Optimist Club, Spring Creek Masonic Lodge 802 F&AM, Harrisburg Consistory, Zembo Shrine Temple, Zembo Shrine String Band and Quittie Woods, and was a life member of the Hershey VFW, Hershey Italian Lodge, American Federation of Musicians Local 401-750 in Lebanon, Lebanon Knights of Columbus and AARP. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are sons Frank J. DiNunzio Jr. of Hershey and Robert F. DiNunzio of Warrenton, Va.; daughter Frances L., wife of Jay Ebersole of Hershey; sister Philomena Russell of Lancaster; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers John, Nicholas and Louis DiNunzio, and sisters Angeline Mastromatteo, Madeline Mastromatteo and Nora Melograna. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church, Hershey. Interment will be in Grand View Memorial Park. [Lebanon Daily News)
Well-known local musician and restaurateur Francis J. "Frank" DiNunzio Sr. died Monday, Feb. 14, 2005, in Masonic Villages, Elizabethtown. DiNunzio, 91, Hummelstown, was the husband of Evelyn M. Blessing DiNunzio, with whom he would have celebrated a 65th wedding anniversary on April 13. Born May 28, 1913, in Ambler, he was a son of the late Nicholas and Frances DelGudice DiNunzio. DiNunzio's career spanned seven decades. He was a self-employed musician playing with several bands including: Eddie Kohr, Artie Zeller's Hotel Weimer Band, Ira Bowman's Society Band, Merry Maker's, Lebanon Valley College Symphony, Reg Kehoe Band, Larry Clinton, Tony Pastor, Jimmy Dorsey, Charlie Spivak and Joe Venuti Band. He also played backup with Reg Kehoe for the New York City Roxy-ettes and for the Perry Como Band. He played with various bands, most notably the German Band at Hersheypark for 32 years. DiNunzio began his career as the owner of DiNunzio's Shoe Repair Shop in Annville in the 1930s. In the 940s, he moved the shop to South Railroad Street in Palmyra. He operated DiNunzio's Restaurant on North Railroad Street in Palmyra in the mid 1940s before building the Green Terrace in Annville in 1948. He operated the Green Terrace until 1968 before opening DiNunzio's Restaurant in Hershey, which he operated until 1979. He was a member of St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in Hershey, Hershey-Palmyra Sertoma Club, Hummelstown Lions Club, Lebanon Optimist Club, Spring Creek Masonic Lodge 802 F&AM, Harrisburg Consistory, Zembo Shrine Temple, Zembo Shrine String Band and Quittie Woods, and was a life member of the Hershey VFW, Hershey Italian Lodge, American Federation of Musicians Local 401-750 in Lebanon, Lebanon Knights of Columbus and AARP. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are sons Frank J. DiNunzio Jr. of Hershey and Robert F. DiNunzio of Warrenton, Va.; daughter Frances L., wife of Jay Ebersole of Hershey; sister Philomena Russell of Lancaster; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers John, Nicholas and Louis DiNunzio, and sisters Angeline Mastromatteo, Madeline Mastromatteo and Nora Melograna. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church, Hershey. Interment will be in Grand View Memorial Park. [Lebanon Daily News)
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