Obituary of Lawrence S. DelGrego

ILION - Lawrence Shura “Babe” DelGrego passed away at his home, on Friday, November 25, 2022, at 88 years young. Although he faced numerous health challenges, he never lost his zest for life, connection with friends and his love for his family, especially his children and grandchildren. Throughout their lives he cherished every moment with them and celebrated each and every accomplishment with pride. Babe is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Elisabeth Hitchcock DelGrego; his daughter, Tracy (Donna) DelGrego, of Webster, NY; his son, Lawrence (Kim) DelGrego, of Ilion, NY; his grandchildren, Luke (Alex) DelGrego, of Sauquoit, NY, Troy (Logan) DelGrego, of Ilion, NY, Paige (Mark) DelGrego, of Ilion, NY, Zach DelGrego, of Miami Beach, FL, Matt DelGrego and Kate DelGrego, of Webster, NY; and great- granddaughter, the light of his eye, Collins DelGrego. He is also survived by his sister, Sherry DiTrapano, of Sinking Springs PA; sister-in law, Barbara Noffer, of Ballston Spa, NY; and brothers-in-law, Jerry (Debbie) Hitchcock, of Gainesville, GA and Robert McFeeley, of Kissimee, FL. Babe will be missed by many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Babe was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence and Shirley DelGrego; his sister, Sheila McFeeley; brothers-in-law, Willis (Marion) Hitchcock, Douglas (Irene) Hitchcock and Robert Hitchcock; and sisters-in-law, Jeanette Richway and Gertrude Tangora. Lawrence was born in Meridan Connecticut, on July 15, 1934, into a large extended DelGrego family and a special aunt, Julia Rajewski. When he was young his family moved to Ilion with Parker Gun. He was a graduate of Ilion High School and lived by the motto, “Never be Less than the Best” and believed that “Once a Bomber Always a Bomber” with his strong admiration for Brown and Gold. After graduation, Babe served in the United States Air Force, at Nellis Airforce Base, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He earned the rank of Tech Sergeant as a crew chief for the Thunderbirds, plane #3 and broke the sound barrier flying in that plane. Upon honorable discharge, Babe returned to Ilion and joined his father in the Parker Gun Repair business. He met and married the love of his life, becoming the unwavering team of Babe and Chic. Throughout his career at Larry DelGrego and Son, he earned the respect of Parker Gun enthusiast nationwide and was featured in numerous books and magazine articles. He was awarded the honor of Lifetime Member of the Parker Gun Collectors Association. Babe served as President of the Ilion Kiwanis, was a charter member of the Ilion Snowdrifters and a Lifetime Member of the Ilion Elks Lodge # 1444. He served 25 years as a member of the Ilion Water Commission. Known for his love of sports, Babe coached Pop-Warner Football and Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion Baseball. If his grandchildren were participating, Babe could be found in the stands at field hockey, football or softball fields, a wrestling match or on a pool deck. Babe was an avid supporter of all Bomber Sports and was a fixture on the sidelines of Ilion football games for decades. Babe loved people. He loved the social connections at restaurants, parties, camping and traveling. Throughout his travels in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe, he captured these memories through the lens of his camera. As he spent more time at home, Facebook kept him connected with family, dear friends and IHS Alumni. In Lieu of Flowers, please consider a donation to Ilion Fire Fighters Local 1185, at 1 Central Ave, Ilion, NY 13357, in recognition of their years of support and caring, AND/OR “Babe DelGrego Student Athlete Fund” 9 Monroe Street, Ilion NY 13357, to continue Babe’s legacy of assisting student athletes. The family welcomes you to calling hours, at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, on Friday, December 2, 2022, from 4 until 8 p.m. The funeral establishment is located at 4309 Acme Road, in Ilion and we invite the Ilion Elk’s Lodge to offer their Ritualistic Service at the funeral home, on Friday, at 4:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Annunciation Church, Ilion, on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., with Father Paul Catena, Pastor, officiating. A Prayer Service prior to Mass will be held at the funeral home, Saturday morning, at 9:45 a.m., then a procession to church for the 10:30 Mass. Spring interment will be held with full military honors, at St. Agnes Cemetery, North Ilion. The obituary will appear in this week’s Times Telegram and Utica Observer Dispatch and is in tribute form at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.