Dennis J. Dal Braccio, 682 Lorenwood Dr., Hermitage, passed away unexpectedly while taking a walk around his property at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (3-17-10). He was 70.

Mr. Dal Braccio was born September 19, 1939 in Jersey City, NJ a son of the late Frank and Ida (Mancini) Dal Braccio.

He attended Holy Rosary Parochial Grade School and was a 1957 Graduate of St. Anthony's High School, both in Jersey City. He earned a bachelors of science degree in mechanical engineering from The Newark (NJ) College of Engineering, now known as New Jersey Institute of Technology and was a member of its National Honor Society.

Dennis moved to the Shenango Valley in 1965 and was employed as an engineer at the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. He retired with 26 years of service in 1991 from ABB, a division of Westinghouse, as a corporate standard editor. He and his wife also owned and operated the Reynolds Bowling Alley in the late 1970's.

Dennis was an active member of St. Joseph Church, Sharon, where he was the head usher at the 8 a.m. Sunday Mass. He was very fond of the parishioners at St. Joseph and the residents of the valley and would often comment on their friendliness. Dennis had numerous hobbies and was involved in many activities. He was a model railroad enthusiast, an accomplished woodworker and gardener and enjoyed working on his property. His first love however, was restoring classic automobiles. He was extremely meticulous and spent hours working on his 1964 Oldsmobile Starfire and his 1956 Ford pick up truck. He was also a member of the Shenango Valley Antique Auto Club and served as a judge at the annual Father's Day Car Show in Hermitage. Dennis was a 19 year volunteer for Meals on Wheels at Christ Lutheran Church, Sharon, where he drove and delivered meals for shut-ins. Years earlier he enjoyed golfing in Fred Tonty's Golf League at the Hickory VFW Golf Course and was an avid fan of the Pitt!

sburgh Steelers. Dennis loved spending time with his family and will be dearly missed by all.

Surviving are: his wife of 36 years, the former Louise Hosfelt, whom he married May 26, 1973 in St. Joseph Church, Sharon; a brother, Richard Dal Braccio, Randolph, NJ; two nieces, Diane and Denice; a nephew, Rodney Hosfelt; two great nephews, Ricky and Cody Hosfelt; a great niece, Olivia Hosfelt; and two brothers-in-law, Ernest Ronald Hosfelt and his wife Gloria; and Gerald Hosfelt.

Besides his parents, Dennis was preceded in death by a nephew, Richard Thomas Hosfelt and a sister-in-law, Joyce Hosfelt.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Prince of Peace, 502 Darr Ave., Farrell, PA 16121; or to Meals on Wheels c/o Christ Lutheran Church, 396 Buhl Blvd., Sharon, PA 16146.

Calling hours will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday (3-21-10) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday (3-22-10) in St. Joseph Church, Sharon.

Interment: St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage.