Frank D’Elia, 100, of Stone Harbor, D-Day vet and “the Cardinal of Saint Paul Parish,” died Dec. 9.
Last month on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, he celebrated his birthday with the Stone Harbor community, who gathered to honor a century of service to God and country.
Born on Nov. 11, 1919, and raised in South Philadelphia, Mr. D’Elia and his family would spend their summers in Stone Harbor. Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the army in 1942, and was on the ground in Normandy on July 6, 1944. He served in several other campaigns for World War II, including Northern France, Rhineland and Ardennes.
Returning home after the war, for which he received several medals, including a Bronze Star, Mr. D’Elia got married in 1946 and started his own carpentry business.
At the age of 62, he closed his business and retired to his summer retreat, Stone Harbor and Saint Paul Church, where he became a daily communicant and constant presence on the property, always willing to help when needed.
“He devoted himself completely to the church, and we depended on him,” remembers Msgr. William Quinn, now retired, who served as pastor of Saint Paul from 1999-2009. “Frank opened the church every morning at 6, prepared the altar, and served at Mass,” he said.
Msgr. Quinn also recalled Frank’s hardworking, “modest and sincere” way, which attracted people to him and earned him the moniker “Cardinal of Saint Paul Parish.” “Everybody knew him, and everybody loved him.”
In a 2008 profile in the Star Herald, Mr. D’Elia shared his contributions to Saint Paul Church. “I built the shrines and balcony and choir room, among other things,” he said.
Mr. D’Elia was a 63-year-member of the Knights of Columbus. In 2015, Pope Benedict XVI honored him as a Knight of Saint Gregory the Great.
“He was a true messenger of God,” said his son-in-law, E.J. “People would ask him how much the church was paying him for his hard work. He would always respond, ‘The pay’s not much, but the retirement is heavenly’.”
Mr. D’Elia is predeceased by his wife, parents and five siblings.
He is survived by his daughters Pauline (E.J.) D’Elia Tate and Kathy (Bruce) D’Elia Williams; grandchildren Anthony Brullo and Nicole Difiore; and great-grandchildren Faith, Tyler, Matthew, Elijah and Josiah.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec. 27, at Saint Brendan the Navigator Parish, Saint Paul Church. Viewing will be from 10 to 11 a.m., and Mass will start at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pa. Donations may be made in Mr. D’Elia’s name to Saint Paul Church.
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