Obituary of Albert Spinelli

Albert A. Spinelli, age 92, went to the Lord from the VA Hospital while surrounded by his loving wife and children on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 following a brief illness. He was born on March 1, 1921 in Erie, PA, son of the late Battista and Domenica Spinelli. A life-long Erie resident, Al was a Postal Service mailhandler for 23 years and a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. He loved family activities and enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play hockey, soccer, and basketball, traveling on family trips, vegetable gardening, and watching western movies. He was a wonderful family man with a great heart and a helpful hand always extended to those in need. Al was a World War II veteran who proudly served from November 1942 through November 1945 in Company I, 413 Infantry Regiment, 104th Division. Al and his fellow Timberwolves fought their way from France through Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He was wounded in battle and received two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, and numerous other medals. Al was preceded in death by his brothers: Joe, Guy, John, Armand (Mike) Spinelli, and sisters; Celia Amendola and Lena Tomporowski. Al is survived by his wife, Julie Bartone Spinelli: four children: Mike Spinelli (Barb) of Cincinnati, Paul Spinelli (Melissa) of Los Angeles, Sheilah Bruno (Ernie) of Erie, and Michelle McCallion (Joe) of Edinboro; six grandchildren: Jerry Bruno (Jennifer), Nick Spinelli, Tina Spinelli, Tara Cox, Daniel McCallion, and Matthew McCallion, and two great-grandchildren; Julianna and Jessica Bruno. The sadness will be offset by the happiness of three upcoming weddings of grandchildren; Tina Spinelli to Jay Fields, Tara Cox to Eric Gonzalez, and Nick Spinelli to Shelby Jeffries. Al and Julie were married for 65 beautiful and loving years. They were the rocks upon which a wonderful family was built through laughter and love. Dad will be missed by all who knew and loved him. The Spinelli family would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to the wonderful staff at the Veterans Administration Hospice Unit in Erie for their outstanding medical care and compassion in caring for our dear Father. Friends and family may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and are invited there on Saturday for a prayer service at 2:00 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 2:30 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. Military internment Calvary Cemetery.