Getting to Know You: Giovanni Dilluvio
February 16
This is part of a series of stories to introduce some of the remarkable individuals who live in our vibrant community here at Willow Towers Assisted Living at United Hebrew of New Rochelle.
Meet Giovianni Dilluvio: He’s very active in our activity programs here at Willow Towers. He enjoys exercising and participating Tai Chi, Catholic mass, Holy Communion, drumming, ice cream socials, concerts, special events and more. You will find him in the first seating in the dining room usually have a conversation in Italian with his friend Antonina. He is very close to his family and they often join him at barbecues and special events.
Giovanni was born in a small town in Palermo, Sicily. He comes from a family of nine siblings, including seven brothers and two sisters. He and his siblings completed school through the fifth grade, then went to work on the family farm.
At age 19, Giovanni went on to serve one year in the military. When he returned, he went to live in northern Italy. He moved to the city of Turin to seek better work opportunities and continued to visit his family in Sicily. Giovanni found work, made many friends and enjoyed many wonderful experiences while in Turin. He remained there for 20 years. He saved enough money to buy a truck and for several years, he transported goods throughout Northern Italy, which allowed him to visit many wonderful cities.
Giovanni married his wife, Caterina, while living in Turin and in 1969, they migrated to America with the rest of his family. He worked in the construction industry and she worked as a seamstress. Giovanni enjoyed work very much and was very dedicated to his craft until he retired. He was recognized by the Union for his many years of service.
After they retired, Giovanni and his wife spent their summers in Italy and enjoyed exploring Europe during those trips. They also visited Jerusalem, Russia and many other wonderful parts of the world during their 50-year marriage. Giovanni loved to travel; his last vacation was at the age of 89 when he visited Las Vegas.
Giovanni enjoys listening to music and is a voracious reader, mainly about history and religion. He’s a wonderful storyteller, and loves to talk about his life experiences and what he’s learned along the way.
Getting to Know You: Elizabeth Urban
