Angelo Piraneo, 97, passed away from the effects of Alzheimer’s on October 3, 2019. He was surrounded by his family at Legacy Heights Memory Care Unit in Charlotte, NC.
Angelo was born on January 2, 1922 in Manhattan, NY to the late Salvatore and Concetta Piraneo who immigrated through Ellis Island to the United States coming from Castrofilippo, a commune in the Province of Agrigento in the Italian region of Sicily. He was preceded in death by brothers Sal and Frank Piraneo; sisters Josephine Abitabilo and Camille Cuff and nephew Frank “Chickie” Piraneo.
Angelo grew up on Ditmars Blvd in Queens, NY. He graduated from Bryant High School in Long Island City.
Mr. Piraneo was very proud to be a WWII Veteran and while in the memory care unit, you would see him wearing his special WWII hat each day. Angelo served in the US Army Air Corps as a Staff Sergeant-Airplane Electrical Specialist in the 792 Bombardment Squadron from November 7, 1942 through October 26, 1945. During the war, he was stationed in Tinian and was part of the following Battles and Campaigns: Air Offensive Japan, Central Burma, China, Eastern Mandates, India Burma, Air Combat. He received a Good Conduct Medal, and American Service Medal, an Asian-Pacific Services Medal, and a Distinguished Unit Badge.
Upon returning home, Angelo attended Casey Jones Aeronautics School. Mr. Piraneo starting working for Pan American Airways in 1948 and worked up to the position of Flight Engineer, based in New York, where he manned the third position in the cockpit for over 30 years, moving from flying prop planes up to the Boeing 747’s. He thoroughly enjoyed flying around the world with his Pan Am Crew Members and all the wonderful places he visited.
While working for Pan American Airways, and living at the Palm Court Hotel in England for a short time, Angelo met his lovely wife, Dulcie Kebbell. They were married six months later and recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this past July 1, 2019. After living in England for two years, Angelo brought his bride home to America. Their first home together was in East Meadow, Long Island, NY, where they lived for 10 years before moving further out on the island to Huntington. In 1991, they moved to Matthews, NC and lived there until 2015 when they moved to his final home in Indian Land, SC.
Upon retiring, Angelo spent most of the day working outdoors in the garden and fixing things around the house. His only hobby was watercolor painting, and he painted some beautiful pictures. Angelo also loved his kitty cats and spending time with his beloved wife Dulcie, who he adored.
Angelo is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years Dulcie Rita Piraneo; children Elaine Piraneo and Dean Piraneo; grandchildren Sarah, Heather and Holly and their mother Alice Piraneo; great grandchildren Jacoby, Jesse, Juan, nephews Neil Abitabilo, Don Cash, and Tommy Piraneo, nieces Marian Chirichella, Carol Ast and Dayle Bradley and other relatives and friends.