John G. DiBiase, Sr

John G. DiBiase, Sr. October 20, 1922 July 23, 2013 Portland - John G. DiBiase Sr., 90, of Portland, following a brief illness, passed away peacefully at the Gosnell Hospice House on July 23, 2013. John was born on October 20, 1922, the oldest of three children of Camillo DiBiase and Angela (DiMatteo) DiBiase. He grew up on Waterville Street in the Munjoy Hill neighborhood of Portland. John was a graduate of Portland High School's Class of 1940. Following graduation, John began his working career in construction and as a freight handler for the railroad. In 1947 John married Marilyn Fogg and his life was off and running! In 1949 John and Marilyn opened and operated the Famous Market variety store located on Forest Ave. It was during the seven years they owned their first store that John and Marilyn began raising their four children. In 1956 the family moved to South Portland where John and Marilyn established DiBiase's Market. John and Marilyn worked long hard days together until they sold the store in 1976. Following the sale of the store, they moved to Portland and together operated a Day Care Center until 1996. Upon retirement, John and Marilyn joined the Italian Heritage Center. They became active members and chaired various functions over the past 37 years. Other than their family, the ""Club"" as they called it, was truly the center of their lives. John's passion was music and remained an important part of his life right until the end. He was a talented musician, accomplished in many instruments, all without reading a note. He filled their home daily with music, playing his piano. John played in local bands as a young man and performed often around the Greater Portland area. He was often asked to play at parties, weddings and gatherings of family and friends. He was a member of the Harmonicats, a four piece harmonica, band for several years. John's other loves were dancing, telling jokes, and playing bocce. He enthusiastically embraced life and his youthful energy was always on display. John was well known for his comedic comebacks and one- liners. John was predeceased by his sisters Jeanette Zazzara and Cinderella Miller. He will be very lovingly missed by his wife of 66 years, Marilyn DiBiase of Portland,ME; his daughter Cynthia and husband Scott Decker of No.Yarmouth, ME; son Camillo DiBiase and wife Linda DiBiase of Phoenix, AZ; son John Jr. and wife Lynne of Poland, ME and daughter Maria and husband Ed Doyle of Gorham, ME; 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He loved life, family and his many close friends. John will be dearly missed by his family, friends and relatives who were fortunate to have been a part of his life. He will now truly be our ""Johnny Angel."" Visiting hours will be held from 4 - 7 pm on Sunday, July 28, 2013 at A.T. Hutchins Funeral and Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Ave Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Monday, July 29 at 9:30 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 492 Ocean Ave, Portland. Interment will be at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Scholarship Fund c/o The DiBiase Scholarship Italian Heritage Center, 40 Westland Ave, Portland, Maine 04103

John G. DiBiase, Sr

October 20, 1922 - July 23, 2013

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