Philip C. DiIorio of North Stonington, Conn., formerly of Lincoln, R.I., died peacefully at Westerly Hospital on January 7, 2021. He was the devoted husband of Marie C. (McCusker) DiIorio for 68 years. He was born in Providence, son of the late Filippo and Antoinetta (Coia) DiIorio.
Philip graduated from La Salle Academy in 1947 and the University of Rhode Island in 1954 with a bachelor degree in electrical engineering. He was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers for two years during the Korean conflict. He began his career at General Dynamics, Electric Boat division, as an engineer in 1956 until 1961. From 1963 to May of 1964, he worked for the navy at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station, making upgrades to the previously installed lighting for aircraft runways. In 1964, he was selected by the Department of Defense Supervisor of Shipbuilding in Groton, Conn., to serve in the Nuclear Power Engineering Branch of submarine construction, where he worked until his retirement in 1994.
Philip traveled extensively during his lifetime. While in the army, he traveled to Hong Kong, Formosa, Okinawa, and Tokyo. Philip and Marie took many cruises and enjoyed traveling with family friends to London, Paris, Rome, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Austria, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean Islands.
Philip was devoted to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, spending time with them when he could. For decades, he enjoyed videotaping weddings, parties, and family gatherings. He took thousands of family and travel pictures throughout his lifetime, categorizing and digitizing all his photographs. He was always keeping up with the latest technology trends. He took pride in repairing televisions, radios, and computers, and could repair just about anything electronic. If you had something that needed fixing, you called Phil.
Philip is survived by his three children Philip D. DiIorio (Kathryn) of Westerly, RI, Paul J. DiIorio (Monica) of Pawcatuck, CT, and a daughter, Maureen Adams of Westerly, RI. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Jessica, Kate, Ryan, Brittany, Caitlynn, and Skylor, and six great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind three step-grandchildren, Katie, Lauren, and Jennifer. Philip was predeceased by his son Stephen; his brother, Vincent Di Iorio; and his sister, Mafalda Tetreault.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am on Tuesday at St. Thomas More, 87 Mystic Rd., North Stonington, CT. Burial will be private. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com