Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

So we need your help…..

As you probably know, Peter (dad) turns 60 this September. While we are not throwing a huge bash – we are looking for a way for you to be involved in this momentous occasion. Who knows Peter better than those closest to him and just in case he’s forgetting in his old age just who he is…..we want to remind him!

Melissa, Becca, and I are asking that you write something about (to) Peter and return directly to me thru email ( pdl3@lcor.com ) by no later than September 8th, but ideally as soon as possible. What you write is entirely up to you, but the essence of this is to show Peter just what he means to all of us. Perhaps it’s a story of a time you shared together, perhaps it’s a funny roast of the goofy habits he has, or perhaps it’s simply a message that you’d like to share with him as he turns the chapter on another decade. This story, message or note can be anything from pages long to a few simple sentences. Upon receipt of all the messages we’ll be organizing and binding as a gift to him from all of us.

Please don’t’ be shy – this is an opportunity to tell Peter what he means to you….and if a few jokes are mixed in…better yet. Should you have any questions, please reach out to me on my cell phone at 484-888-3660. Your participation is critical to making this meaningful!

Best,
Pete, Melissa and Becca

PS – please don’t mention this to Lisa..we intend for this gift to be a surprise for her as well.

Dad's thoughts on turning 60

60 years old, I can hardly believe

As I ponder the memories so hard to retrieve

1950 to now so many thoughts to share

Sit back, relax, cry or laugh as you dare.

The year 1950 was one of the best

Pewe and Jule’s second child was added to their nest

Blind in one eye but otherwise cute

A great addition to the family, one could hardly refute.

1958 brought a brand new brother

To go with Sam and the one-eyed other

Two brothers, a mom and a dad

I had it all with all that I had

A childhood to be cherished for sure

Having too much fun to even know we were poor

Baseball, basketball and football year round

My friends in the neighborhood kept me safe and sound.

Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins galore

Not one single day was a bore

Mom and dad taught me to love without rules

They prepared me for life with all the right tools

Margareta and Galliano gave me the mold

To be a great Pop-Pop, truth be told.

1968 to Nova for four years of college

Playing, partying, picking up some knowledge

Garry, Rick, Bob and I forged a partnership

That’s lasted a lifetime, a real pleasure trip.

1970 brought to me the love of my life

My teacher, my friend, my mentor, my wife

Without you this poem has no rhyme

You have been there for me, time after time.

1972 brought the first real blow to my heart

When Dad died suddenly, my world fell apart

I learned how precious family was to me

Never take each other for granted you see.

1975 sang to us a new tune

When our first baby girl came in June

Now she’s a grown mom with no rest

Take heart Nate, she has learned from the best.

1979 delivered a real bundle of joy

God gave us a healthy strong little boy

Now he’s a dad being put to the test

Take heart Lexy, he has learned from the best.

1984 we finished our family of three

When Becca was born, it brought so much glee

Now she is married and filled with zest

Take heart Rich, she has learned from the best.

Oh the years have flown by so fast

So many teachers to thank from the past

There’s Pete, Sadie, Lonny and Vee

Elma, Carmen, Rose and of course Aunt Millie

So many others too many to name

They all would be in my hall of fame.

2006 brought a very large ripple

When I underwent the now famous wipple

A life lesson learned in all that pain

It’s ok to suffer, it leads to much gain

2008 brought the empty nest

Sure to be the best of the rest

With Luke, Julia, Samantha and Jake

So many more memories to make

Of course, I expect more grandchildren to come

When your old, how else do you have fun?

In 2010, I lost the best of them all

When mom want home to her final call.

She gave and she gave then she gave some more

A saint, an angel, good through to the core

60 years and all of them earned

Listen now to what else I have learned:

Love each other throughout all the days

In actions, words and all other ways

Love your spouse and children unconditionally

And good things will happen. I promise you’ll see

Always give to God your all

And He will carry you each time you fall.

I thank you for each one of the years

The joys and laugher and even the tears

Enjoy the night, I have no more to say

Except that someone other than me has to pay.

Cindy DiLullo

Peter,

There are so many fond memories over the years (the family gatherings, the births of our children, birthday parties and holidays). But my fondest memory is one that you were not even there for. We were all together at the hospital, Melissa was sitting there pregnant with your first grandchild, and the Doctor came out and said "It's NOT cancer!" I'll never forget the look of relief on everyone's faces. What a great moment!

Happy 60th birthday!
Love,
Cindy

Rich Boyd Jr.

THE PROPOSAL: I will never forget when you said that in order for our

relationship to be successful it’s critical that “Christ is in the center of our relationship”. It would have been easy for you to talk about a lot of other things, but you focused on the most important, which I have learned is Christ.

LIMO RIDE: You had a Tiffany’s gift for everyone. “To live is Christ, to die is gain”…the most important thing in life is family. The verse and the necklace will stay with me forever.

MEETING ABOUT DAVIDSON: Stewardship…“Tithe” It’s more important to give, then to receive. As you said, it’s hard in the beginning…but once you make the commitment to tithing you will reap heavenly rewards.

CADDIES: I remember being a caddie, and how I was treated by every person I caddied for. You always make the caddie feel like he is not only the best

caddie you've ever had, but also a friend. I remember realizing that leadership is about putting yourself underneath people, and lifting them up.

HONDA CONVERTIBLE: You took me for a ride on Westtown road...You kept saying “give it some gas”. I remember how cool I thought it was that you let me do that.

THE BRIDGE: You and Lisa showed up at “The Bridge”. I remember how great I felt when I saw you both in the congregation.

CHURCH: Just you and I at church, you gave me a hug and said “I love you”. I was glad you trusted that I would be there.

TOMMY: When you prayed for Tommy and his future “blanket of protection”. I know that had an impact on Tommy, and my entire family.

SUIT: Every interview I went on I had a fresh “P.D.L” suit... grateful to be looking sharp.

LETTERS: Becca still talks about the letters you sent her in college.

POWER WASH: “Man work” on the old shore house. I liked how you made it fun.

HANDSHAKE: Pre-Becca, I remember you always gave me a funky hand shake when

you walked in the door. I could never get it right.

AISLE SEAT: No matter where we go, you always have the aisle seat.

GOLF SWING: Pre-Becca, I remember you always rehearsing your golf swing...

in our backyard on Eagle Road, at restaurants, anywhere really.

Mom Mom Jule

Becca

Daddy,

When I think of the way that I was raised by you and Mom, it's easy to see your seperate roles. For instance, Mom was there for every diaper change, every runny nose, and every day-to-day minor heartache.. a constant companion and role model. Your job, though vastly different, was no less important.
You worked in "big picture". You made me feel safe, you made me feel beautiful, and you made me feel loved. You were a permanent fixture, ever ready to lend support or advice when sought. It was during the hard times that you truly made your presence known. It was the cards in my college mailbox that got me through my day, the "buck up" email when student teaching presented itself as insurmountable. It was the yells from the sidelines of field hockey games. These things, these little kindnesses, they helped make me who I am. When it was time to find someone to go through life with, it was because of you that the process was as simple as it was. I was confident that I deserved someone pretty fantastic, and I was able to see him clearly when he came my way. Thank you for the little things that made me who I am. You still have a LOT of life to live and you are NOT done parenting! I still need you! Nothing will change that.
Love you always... and ever grateful.

Bec

Bobby DiLullo

BIG BROTHER

1960s

v Speed ball in the back yard on County Line road, asphalt and 20 feet from pitcher to hitter, homerun over the broken down garage

v Being tormented by Big Brother at age 8, throwing a glass coke bottle at him, him laughing making me crazier

v Little League and him helping me to learn how to throw and hit

v Grade school football, breaking my facemask making a tackle, him not letting me go to the coach crying, my first lesson in toughness

v Christmas Eve and day at Grand Mom’s house-Uncle John eating snails

v Pinochle in the kitchen on County Line road, news of the Vietnam war playing on the 8 inch black and white

v Long hair, bare feet and tassel belts

1970s

v Dad’s sudden passing

v Vietnam lottery and being elated when Peter’s lottery number was in the 300s

v Meeting Lisa for the first time at Grand Pop and Grand Mom Cellini’s 50^th anniversary and giving Pete the thumbs up

v Varsity football- Pete buying my first pair of Spotbilt spikes- never so proud of a pair of shoes, concussion and ambulance ride Pete in the back with me making sure I would be okay

v Friday dinners after Peter had spent Friday afternoon at Kelly’s – very interesting not always very coherent

v Peter and Lisa’s wedding at Aunt Sadie and Uncle Pete’s on Avon road, my crying as they left for their honeymoon

v Sitting at the hospital waiting for Melissa to be born, proud Dad’s face when he announced her birth and the beginning of the next generation

1980s

v Pete III birth, proud Dad’s face announcing we have a DiLullo to carry the family name

v Trip to Guilanove/Rome with Mom and her first plane ride, one car through the mountains with 7 of us cramped in the car, lunch in L’Aquila, Lena and her parents farm- Giorgio the pig, Father Romanie, the Sistine Chapel private tour, Cente Erb, Mass in St. Peter’s Square celebrated by Pope John Paul II…

v Trip to Hilton Head for the Decathlon, the private plane, 5 bedroom home on the beach with private pool, clam bake on the beach, transfusions drank to the playing of urgent and Ricky’s dancing. Gary-cyndor burn-Ouch, commandeering a hotel pool and shooting the starter pistol, Pete’s triumphant victory over the boys

v Becca’s birth and on the same day as Pete III making it easier for Pete to remember as he is getting older.

v Our running era-The Sea Isle half marathon- stretching in the back yard at Grand Pop’s house, The Philadelphia Distance Run- carbohydrate loading at the Royal Villa the night before, Brian’s run every year

v Meeting with John Bennett and guiding/encouraging me to invest in myself at Manoa Sports, John Bennett more interested in hiring Pete than me during the meeting

v Christmas Eve at Mom’s house

1990s

v Our golf era- Waynesboro, Applebrook, Aronimink, Huntington Valley all places I would not have access , you have developed to a 6 handicap, I remain a 22

v Cape May vacations

v Trip to the Outer Banks- surf fishing, watching VCRs, enjoying the sun, sand and surf, flying kites, playing miniature golf and watching Mom cross off the days on the calendar

v Sharing in the highs and lows as our children grew from infants to teenagers

v Christmas Eve at my house

v Your generous gift of the multi-gym so my boys could train for high school/club sports

2000s

v Mom’s illness and her passing

v Our Fishing era- the Three Pete and now the Three Pete II

v Trips to West Palm sail fishing on the Andiomo and the Bahamas’ adventure including air and sea in the same day

v The pancreatic tumor- worrying during surgery and the agonizing days after on pathology, the good news and your gift of the watch engraved “my brother My Friend”

v The birth of your grandchildren and the beginning of the next – next generation

v September 17,2010 # 60 Happy Birthday

Little brother Bobby

Linda DiLullo

Happy 60th Peter!!!

What a most precious blessing...the gift of life...and in the midst of God's endless blessings showered upon us day after day, I am continually reminded of the treasured gift of family. Thinking of you celebrating the gift of your life, surrounded by your beautiful "treasures"...your faithful, loving and devoted wife...three awesome children...three more awesome daughter and sons-in-law...and those most cherished grandchildren...I can only imagine the gratitude in your heart to our great God, for truly your cup "runneth over" with His most treasured gifts wrapped in flesh!!! And if asked to recall a few of my most beloved shared family memories, they would have to be those numerous Christmas fish dinners as I took such great delight in watching my precious songbird Claire sitting on her Uncle Pete's lap singing Christmas carols..."Mary, Did You Know" will forever bring back those most cherished moments!!

Blessings abundant!!!! Love, Lin

Alexis

Dad D.,

I am so grateful you were born! Of course there is the obvious reason: with out you, I would not have my wonderful Husband who I’m madly in love with, and my beautiful Daughter, who has made my life complete. But in your 60 years of life you have done so much more for me than just that. You helped shape Pete into the man he is today. You lead by example and taught Pete how to be a great husband, father and businessman. The qualities that first attracted me to Pete were passed down from you. Of course I was immediately drawn to his rugged good looks, which I have you to thank for! I was also attracted to Pete’s drive. He works hard. He wants to be successful…like his Father. But what I loved most about him was whenever I was with him I was having the time of my life. The guy has a great sense of humor and loves to have fun. And after our first meeting at the Italian restaurant in Washington D.C. it was obvious that came from you too! I’ll never forget how much fun we had that night! I still have so much fun with you (even though you’re a 60 year-old Grandpa!) Pete thinks it is funny because I’ll often say “What are your parents doing tonight? Should we call them and see if they want to get together?” I don’t know too many people who love to hang with their in-laws, but I do.

As Pete and I grew more serious, he began to share his views on marriage and parenthood with me. I was so impressed with his high set of morals, and the kind of Father and Husband he wished to be. I know I have you and Mom D. to thank for that. Of all the wonderful gifts you have given, your loving Marriage and devotion to your children is by far the best gift you have given to him and to me.

Of course after Pete and I got married I noticed some traits he earned from you that I’m not quite as thankful for! Like the fact that I get pulled out of every party by my elbow while I’m in mid-sentence. Or that I’ve missed many social gatherings because Pete, on that particular day, was in the mood to just lie on the couch and be anti-social. Or that I can never randomly invite people over the house because Pete doesn’t like to be surprised on Friday night with “Hey, you know that nice couple we met? I invited them over for dinner tonight!” Or that every time we go anywhere he paces the house like a mad man and eventually just goes outside and starts the car because he can’t stand waiting for me anymore. And of course there is the constant sports watching that I have to endure. But all of the good does out weigh the bad…and I am so grateful to you for marrying an outstanding Woman, who completely understands my woes and can listen to me gripe.

I can’t end this letter with out telling you how thankful I am for your generosity. You have provided so much for my family. You have worked very hard in your life. You traveled all over and you missed out on time with your children. You have all the reasons in the world to sit back and reap the benefits of your hard work. But you are choosing to share those benefits with me, and my child. I am so grateful to you for the kind of life you are giving Samantha.

I love you. You are a Father and a Friend to me.
Happy Birthday!

Alexis

Sam DiLullo

Peter:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Wow, sixty. Makes me feel old knowing I have a brother who is sixty. Actually, sixty isn’t really that old, I speak from experience, I’ve been there.

But, county line road does seem a long time ago.

A loving family, successful children, happy grandchildren, health, faith and the wisdom of experience far outweigh the occasional (maybe not so occasional) muscle aches and pains that come with aging.

As we get older some of the standard clichés and platitudes about age start to make more sense.

“You are only as old as your feel” and “You can’t turn back the clock, but you can always wind it up again”, start to sound profound.

I found the following quotes that I think reveal some wisdom about getting older

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. ~Douglas MacArthur

Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

“You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. ~George Burns

Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. Unknown

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were? ~Satchel Paige

Hope you have a great birthday!!!

Sam

Pop Pop

Dear Pop Pop~

Happy birthday to one of our very favorite people! Whether it is making up new songs for us, playing tackle, taking us to feed the horses, or just playing in the back yard with you.....you make everything fun. You are such an important part of our lives and you are one of our favorite people to say prayers for at night when Mom and Dad tuck us into bed. The Cape May song is so special to us that we won't even let Mom and Dad sing it to us ~ every time they try we yell "No only Pop Pop can sing that song!". We feel lucky to have such a young, healthy and fit Grandpop. We can't wait to get out on the golf course with you in just a few short years.

Thank you for loving us so much and for all that you do for us, and for our parents. You have made our world better in ways that we cannot even begin to comprehend as of yet.

Happy Birthday Pop Pop! We love you.

XOXO,

Luke, Julia, and Jake

Pete

It’s amazing that you’re 60! I think in my mind you’ll always be that super cool, good looking and vibrant 45 year old dad that my friends always thought was cooler than me. Truth is, my friends still think that…and well, maybe they’re right!

Recalling good memories is easy. There were the family ski trips (blaring Julio Iglesias), the tennis outings and practice, the golf (how old will you have to get for me to beat you!). Of course though, the memories that will be forever etched in my mind are the fishing outings. Below are some of the highlights and I look forward to many more:

• The college graduation Tarpon trip – Jamie is right (I read his already)…you treated us like men that trip and ever since.
• The first docking of Three Pete with April 25mph wind…we’re in trouble!
• The first sea bass trip – Jim going “the reef is only 10 MILES out”
• Waiting out the fog after near crash in harbor with Billings clan
• Docking the boat with Uncle Bob - considering anchoring in the marina – the laughter that took place afterwards.
• Countless run-offs at the East Lump
• The first shark trip
• The biggest flounder to ever get away
• Vic’s mako gaff – Vic’s stern tuna gaff!
• Mark on the Angry wife and “we ca..cau..caught those so..son…sons of bitches!”
• The Mako with Ricky and Uncle Bobby
• My sweet Alexis at the dock “married to a big fiiishhing man”
• You dropping the bait back and hooking up a sailfish just two months after surgery…amazing.
• The first Canyon tuna with Matty
• The killer Bluefin days in July 2009 – Frank “you think we have a bite”
• Thanksgiving Stripers
• The Thresher and weigh in – you always on the ball turning around and saying “you’ll never forget this”
• The countless boat issues and shut-out days – you always leaving the dock with a smile.

Sure there have been some not so good memories mixed in, but in thinking back over things I’ll never forget; your surgery and recovery are right on top. What amazing courage and presence you had the entire time. I was scared, real scared, but there was a moment I can remember when I knew things would be okay. You asked me to give you a shave in the hospital – clearly you were weak and wanted a trusted hand. I, in my sometimes awkwardness, continued with the shave and started in on your goatee. The sharpness in your eyes when you looked up at me with the “what the hell are you doing” look made me laugh out loud and know dad was back!

I think one of the greatest things you’ve done for me is show me how to be an amazing parent. I know how important you are to me – I hang on your next word, always look forward to being around you, and constantly look up at you with pride. Thinking that Samantha could ever look at me like that makes me want to be the very best father and husband that I can be.

I could go on for pages, but simply put on your 60th birthday. Thank you, I love you.

ASNF,

Pete

Claire DiLullo

Dear Uncle Pete, one of my most favorite memories of you is sitting on your lap every year at our family's seven fish dinner singing Christmas caroles. I always looked forward to getting to sing my heart out with you and to you! You always made these times so special! I love you!

love, Clairebear :)

Melissa

Dear Dad,

60! I remember your 32'nd birthday, I was a little kid, but I vividly remember thinking "this was how old Jesus was when he died". I was nervous, because you were rather Jesus like to me. I remember wheezing out a big sigh of relief when you made it to 33, thinking that you had outlived the big guy (I was a weird kid). I remember 40, I remember 50, and I embrace what 60 is to you.

You wear it well, Pop's.

When I sat down to think about a story, many things came to mind. I remember you not going to church, and me going to camp crying about your doomed soul. I remember you teaching me to ski. I remember you playing indoor tennis with me on halloween. I remember you teaching me how to throw a baseball, and your acceptance of my reluctance to throw a softball. I remember your stories of childhood as though they were my own, and how I treasured them. I remember thinking that you were awesome at basketball, because of your behind the back under the knee "slam dunk" move. I remember you teaching me about boys, and their nefarious intentions. I remember you telling me a story about how you used to climb in bed with me at night when you were working long hours ~ long after I had fallen asleep, just so that you could wrap your arms around me and smell me, your daughter.

I remember Mom's water breaking, and Peter being born. I remember you introducing me to my brother.

I remember Mom being pregnant with Becca, and reading books to my little sister when she was just a bulge in Mom's belly. I remember the day you and Mom brought her home in a snowstorm, and you lied to me that the hospital hadn't released her.....then brought me up to your bedroom where my sweet sister lay sleeping.

I remember you loving me. I remember you being so cool, so relatable, when times were tough.

The one thing that will always and forever remind me of you was just after Luke's birth. I was about 30 weeks pregnant when we got your scary prognosis. When we, your kids, had to contemplate your death. I was so ripe with life, carrying your first grandchild, and I had to contemplate your death. It was horrible. I stayed up all night long, many nights, googling pancreatic cancer, while new life wiggled within me. I climbed into bed, pregnant and sad, gasping for air at the thought of you not knowing the legacy that you and Mom had enabled. The thought of you meeting your first Grandchild as a man bidding farewell to life was too much for me to bear. I wept.

And then things changed. Suddenly, beyond all belief, you were not dying. Suddenly, you had a new chapter to write in the story of our family.

So when I think about you, my Dad ~ the guy who made me, who loved me, who taught me what it was to love a woman as I witnessed your marriage, I think about this.

I remember being in the hospital. Bryn Mawr hospital, the same place that you were born. The same place that Mom Mom laid in bed admiring all of your perfection. I think about you coming into my room the day after my sweet Luke was born. And I remember how snowy and cold and frozen and icy it was. And you were thin. You were a little bit haggard, and still recovering. You had very recently been through some hard times.

You got to my room and demanded to hold Luke, in your Dad~ish way. You sat there, drawn, weary, with my newly born life in your arms. And you giggled. I had never, in my entire life, seen you giggle. You told me how you could not wait to get to the hospital that morning. You told me how you parked your car in the parking lot, and you started to run. You started to run towards us. You caught yourself in disbelief ~ and looked around to see if anyone had noticed you sprinting towards the hospital. You could not believe your desire to see that little baby boy, that symbol of life going on. Your grandchild. You, in your beaten down state, were running across a frozen parking lot to see us, your daughter, and your first Grandson.

That, to me, is you, Dad. You possess the spirit of a boy. You run towards the things that bring you joy. I have long said that you live in hyperbole, you have had "The Best!" dinner at "The Best!" restaurant 300 times.......and you have meant what you said every single time. I love your enthusiasm, Dad.

Thank you for all of the joy that you have brought me in the past 35 years. Thank you for loving me through colic. Thank you for loving me through the pain that the teenage years brought. Thank you for loving me when I hurt, and when I triumphed. Thank you for loving my husband, and my children, and me. Thank you for teaching me, through example, how a man should love his wife. Thank you for taking care of yourself, and of Mom, and of us.

60 ain't nothing for you but more justification for playing from the senior's tees.

You have led by example. I love you. You will, no matter how old, always be my Daddy.

Happy, happy birthday.

Nate

Happy Birthday Pop!

I remember the first time I met you down in Cape May in the old (then new) beach house. You were watching the Phillies. Melissa and I had come down from West Chester and I was excited to “meet the parents”. You and Lisa welcomed me into your house as one of your own from day one. We rode bikes up to Stumpo’s for dinner and got to know one another over garlic knots and pizza. I had an advantage that evening, because I had had a glimpse of your life before we even met and I don’t believe you knew much about me. I had known Melissa since we were 18, and had always heard how much I would love her family from both Melis and Ashley. Whether Melis told you or not, I had a West Chester tour on one of our first dates. Melissa was definitely showing off a little, and took me for a ride in the sports car (what was it back then?), we drove by Applebrook, ate at Peppermill, watched TV on Ben, (who I found out later you brought home from NYC on the train, and now keeps our kids happy in our playroom) I saw your Villanova gear, quickly realized how important golf was to you, and loved your beautiful backyard and perfect TV room.

But after knowing you for a while I came to realize that all of those things are great, but they hardly define who you really are. Who you are is best evidenced in the family you have, your faith in God, the friends you have, and the incredible amount of love that surrounds you. I sincerely appreciate the guidance and knowledge you have given me over the last 8 years. As Rich says in his post, the limo drive down to Philly after you recovered will always remain engraved in my brain just like the necklace around my neck. This is what life is about, family. Family is what’s important, those moments are special, and you have given me a lot of them.

So here’s to many rounds of golf, fishing on the boat, a long happy life, lots more grandkids, watching Luke bring up the ball for Nova, Jake starting LB for whoever replaces JO PA, and Julia’s Valedictorian speech at Princeton.

Happy Birthday Pop.

Love,

Nate