Salvatore DiCarlo Obituary (1949 - 2023)

Our beloved husband and father, Salvatore DiCarlo, passed away peacefully in his home in Virden, Illinois on May 24, 2023 at the age of 73. He was born on July 25, 1949 in Altofonte, a beautiful town nestled in the mountains of Sicily. He came to the United States to marry his love, Vita DiCarlo, in January 1976. He leaves behind his children Carlo (Kate), Anna Maria Lentini (Francesco) and Josephine Hickey (Lance). His seven grandchildren were the light of his life: Salvatore, Antonino, Pietro, Luisa, Anthony, Cristina and Lorenzo. He had many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters. Salvatore and Vita started their American Dream when they opened DiCarlo's Pizza in 1976. Over the last 47 years, Salvatore brought his love for food and good company to the community through their pizzeria. There are few places he loved more than being in a kitchen, cooking delicious food to enjoy with family and friends. Salvatore never met a stranger and treated everyone like family. He loved to laugh and finding joy in almost anything. His first love was his beautiful home country of Sicily, Italy, with the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, sandy beaches, mountains and narrow streets leading to beautiful small towns. Salvatore could often be found at the piazza outside a cafe enjoying a coffee or a few scoops of gelato. He loved all the flavors, but his favorites were zuppa inglese, hazelnut, strawberry or lemon. He loved visiting Sicily with his family, especially when he could show "La Bella Sicilia" to those visiting for the first time. He'd spend hours with his grandchildren, laughing, playing and chasing them in circles around the house. He taught each one of them how to make pizzas as soon as they were old enough to stand on a stool. He loved his time getting Anthony off the bus everyday and their afternoons together. He may have been 73 years old, but he was always a child at heart and his grandchildren loved every second they had with their Nonno. The visitation will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 10:00am-1:00pm at Sacred Heart Church, Virden, Illinois. A mass will follow at 1:00pm. Memorials may be made to the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation (www.pmsf.org) or to Sacred Heart Church Virden, IL and will be received by Airsman & Calvert Funeral Homes, Virden who is honored to be caring for Salvatore's family.