Charles T. Sanfilippo, Sr., Wellsville native and son of the late Guiseppe and Antonia Imburgia Sanfilippo, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 8:26 a.m. Sunday morning, June 7, 2015 at Heritage Valley Beaver. He was 89.

Born on June 19, 1925, he had spent his lifetime in this area, and was the retired owner operator of the Dallis Shoe Repair in the Little Building on the Diamond in East Liverpool, which he operated for 49 years.

A 1943 graduate of Wellsville High School and a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, he served with the U.S. Army in France and Germany during WWII. He was also a member of the Wellsville Sons of Italy and an avid Cleveland sports fan.

As a well-known area musician and orchestra leader, he played in bands from Wheeling to East Liverpool and was a member of the “Touch of Swing” big band, and also a member of the American Federation of Musicians, A.F.M. Local #142.

Charles is survived by three daughters: Nina West, and her husband, Stanley, of Georgetown, PA, with whom he resided; Rebecca Zavesky, and her husband, Andrew, of Lexington Park, MD; and Nancy Pauley, and her husband, Gregory, of Canfield; as well as two sons, Charles T. Sanfilippo, Jr., and his wife April, of Boardman; and Joseph F. Sanfilippo, and his wife Barbara, of Austintown.

There are 11 grandchildren: Jason Payne (Shara), Jamie Payne (Francie), Alex Zavesky (Madeline), Atty. Brandon Pauley, Brianna Wallner (Derek), Danielle Wagner (Jason), Chaz Sanfilippo, Nicole Sanfilippo, Dante Sanfilippo, Matthew Laskovics (Angela) and Kristen Blount (Nick). Six great-grandchildren survive as well: Connor, Kaylea, Keaton, Sydney and Maddox Payne, Camden Wagner, and family friend Wilda Mackall.

Charles was preceded in death on January 6, 1997 by his wife, Shirley Marie Connor Sanfilippo, as well as a granddaughter, Brittany Pauley. Also preceding him were five sisters, Carmella Ray, Theresa Gurrea, Mary Cathell, Sylvia Byrd and Helen Hull, and one brother, Joseph Sanfilippo.

Friends may visit at the Dawson Funeral Home on Wednesday, where the family will be present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Parish at St. Aloysius Church with Father Steve Wassie as the celebrant. Charles will be laid to rest at St. Elizabeth’s Cemetery, where the Tri-State Veterans Burial Group will provide full military honors.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles T. Sanfilippo Sr., please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.