Antonio 'Tony' DiAlessandro, 38

NEW CASTLE - Antonio "Tony" DiAlessandro of New Castle died Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore. He was 38.

Mr. DiAlessandro was born and raised in New Castle.

He was a 1986 graduate of Salesianum School and a 1990 graduate of the University of Delaware.

Mr. DiAlessandro's lifelong ambition was to be a member of the Delaware State Police. This dream was fulfilled in 1993. He was a Corporal/2 with the Delaware State Police Troop 3 in Dover, where he served with the Canine Unit and the Governor's Task Force.

He was a member of the Delaware Air National Guard.

Mr. DiAlessandro was an active member of St. Joseph's Parish in Middletown.

He enjoyed scuba diving, flying Cessna airplanes and his exercise routine. He was a patriotic American, whose greatest joy was raising his sons and enjoying time with his family and friends.

Mr. DiAlessandro's legacy was his commitment as a family man and devoted friend.

He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Angela (Bennett) DiAlessandro; two sons, Mario and Angelo, who were the pride of his life; his parents, Barbara and Marcello DiAlessandro; his grandmother, Francesca DiAlessandro; a brother, Michael; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Angela and Tony McVey, Lisa and Mike Ioannoni, and Roseann, all of New Castle; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, who will miss him dearly.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 5th and Harmony streets, New Castle. Friends may also call in the church from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Burial will be in the Crypt of the Ascension at Cathedral Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Johns Hopkins Hospital Lung Research Center, 600 N. Wolfe St., Blalock 147, Baltimore, MD 21287, Attn. Dr. Jonathan Orens.