leo d'anniballe, sr.
Leo J. D’Anniballe, Sr., 86, of Weirton, passed away Sunday, October 2, 2005 at the Valley Hospice Palliative Care Unit in Steubenville, OH. He was born on May 1, 1919 in Steubenville, OH, a son of the late Alfred and Elizabeth Muziani D’Anniballe. He and his wife Martha Jane McClelland D’Anniballe resided in Weirton and attended St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church. He attended and graduated with honors from Wells High School and for 4 years was a member of the Big Red Band and Orchestra. He also attended West Virginia Institute of Technology at Montgomery, WV and Transylvania University in Lexington, KY. While attending Transylvania University, D’Anniballe was a participant in the development of highly sophisticated frequency modulation that turned the entire battle in Africa in our favor. He began his retail career after enlisting in the U. S. Army Signal Corp in 1942 where he specialized in communications. While in service overseas during World War II, he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Legion of Merit. While serving overseas in the U. S. Military as a Signal Corp technician, Staff Sergeant D’Anniballe was requested to come to the base headquarters of the Commanding General. At that time, he was greatly elated to have the General assign him the responsibility of a newly organized program. It was called the U. S. Army “Special Training Corp” and consisted of recruiting many of the native males to our U. S. Army. They were citizens of the USA and the enlistments were just great throughout the island of Puerto Rico, Bermuda and the Virgin Islands. The program consisted of testing all the new recruits through their intelligence level. As a result of those tests, D’Anniballe was to place them in ten categories, starting with class 1 intelligence level through class 10. The program was extremely successful by putting these recruits through a training day of four hours military in the morning and four hours of classroom training in English. Many of them went through further assignments in the U.S. Army successfully. Unfortunately, during one of the field military training exercises, Staff Sergeant D’Anniballe was involved in a horrific Weapons Carrier accident. He had to be hospitalized for six months in three military hospitals. Fortunately, he recovered but was left with some permanent damage to himself. He was considered a disabled veteran with an honorable discharge. During his overseas career, Leo’s Commanding Officer, having checked his civilian background, discovered that he was an active musician and asked if he would consider forming an Army orchestra to entertain the American troops. Leo was more than happy to volunteer to fulfill this request. The Commander asked that this orchestra play American music as all of the island music was Latin. After selecting the musicians and rehearsing them, he ended up with a 14-piece band with one vocalist; the name of the orchestra was the STC Maestros of Rhythm. The highlight for this group was they were chosen to be the first orchestra to broadcast on AFRS to the United States. This dance band performed at many U.S.O.’s and Officer’s Clubs overseas. D’Anniballe began his retail career in 1952 as Assistant Buyer at Good’s in Steubenville, formerly the Hub. In 1960, he became the Merchandising Manager of the basement division of the women’s and children’s wear at the Steubenville store. He was promoted to Upstairs Divisional Merchandising Manager of all women’s ready-to-wear and children’s wear in 1961. During the latter part of 1978, D’Anniballe was named Merchandising Coordinator of the ready-to-wear departments for both the Wheeling and Steubenville stores. Prior to returning home to open the D’Anniballe Gallery, Leo was the General Manager of the Tower’s Department Store, a division of the Gaylord National Corporation in Wilmington, DE. After returning from Wilmington, Leo took over as Buyer and Manager of the Plaza Men’s Shop in Weirton. D’Anniballe owned and operated the D’Anniballe Gallery, a lady’s clothing store on Main Street in Weirton, with his wife, Martha, who also had a dance studio co-owned with Frances and Mike Maslowski. Prior to entering the military, D’Anniballe was very active in the music field for over 25 years as a keyboard specialist, organizing his own group called the “Star-Liters” and performing in many area clubs, one of which was a popular club called Walker’s Café in downtown Steubenville. The late Dean Martin, then known as Dino Crocetti, would sit in and sing with the band. This phase of his career is now documented in the book “DINO” by Nick Tosches. When Dean and Jerry Lewis had their “grand opening” at the Copacabana Nite Club in New York City, D’Anniballe was invited to attend as his guest. Civic activities have played an important role in the life of D’Anniballe. Having seen his mother suffer for five years and die of cancer, he proceeded to donate all of this spare time to the American Cancer Society. He served as President of the Jefferson County Chapter of the American Cancer Society and Chairman of the state Cancer Society. During this time, he teamed up with the football star, Jim Brown and together worked state-wide to produce the largest sum of money in the history of the State of Ohio Chapter. In 1979, D’Anniballe was selected to the “Who’s Who of America” for outstanding contributions to society. He was a former member of the Steubenville and Williams Country Clubs, board member of the American Federation of Musicians and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, A.A.R.P, American Legion and a past member of the Weirton Elks. He was awarded the 50 year membership of the American Legion. In addition to his parents, D’Anniballe was preceded in death by his brother Joe D’Anniballe and his wife Sue and his sister Erma DeLuca and her husband Dom. D’Anniballe is survived by his wife Mary Jane; daughter Elizabeth Jane D’Anniballe LoPresti and her husband Paul of Naples, FL; son Leo, Jr. and his wife Dr. Barbara E. Carr of Chicago, IL and grandson William J. LoPresti of New York City, NY. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Frances Maslowski and her husband Michael of Naples, FL and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 5 from 2-4 and 7-9PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, WV, where the Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 7PM. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated Thursday, 9AM, at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be in the Brush Creek Cemetery, Irwin, PA where military services will be conducted. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 229 California Avenue, Weirton, WV 26062; American Cancer Society, Post Office Box 2166, Weirton, WV 26062; or Valley Hospice, 380 Summit Avenue, Steubenville, OH 43952. Share tributes and memories with his family at www.grecohertnick.com Funeral Home: Greco Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV US 26062

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  1. I remember Leo from dancing for Martha and Tassy. I also was the Hub baby at one time. He was a great man… Martha and family you are in my thought and prayers at this time… God Bless Denise

  2. To the Family of Leo J. D’Anniballe, Sr. I was saddened to read of your loss as posted in the online edition of the Steubenville Herald-Star. I always remember being in Mr. D’Anniballe’s employ at The Hub of Steubenville (as his stockboy, from 1969-1970, until a different position was offered within the company) with fond recollections. He always treated me fairly and professionally…a true gentleman. I have always held him and his family in the highest of standards. I also enjoyed helping out at his wife Martha’s dance studio. The whole family’s a class act. Please accept my prayers and condolences on your loss. Sincerely, Tom M Williamson Long Island, NY (formerly of Wintersville, Ohio)

  3. I was a student of Martha and Tassy at their dance studio, and my mother (Anna Monaco) worked in the Hub coffee shop many years ago. We both always remembered Leo and Martha, and the whole “Arts Academy gang,” very fondly. Deepest condolences to Martha and family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  4. Mrs. D’anniballe, E.J., and Leo Jr. , So sorry to read about Leo Sr. and just wanted you all to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I have fond memories of years past and spending time at your home on Starkdale Road. Leo Jr. (Buster) was one of my very good friends as we went through our elementary, junior high, and high school years together. Your dad was a good man and he will certainly be missed. May God bless you and be with you at this difficult time. Miles

  5. Art joins me in extending our sincere sympathy to you and your family. I have heard so many nice things about your dad.

  6. It was nice talk to you last Christmas for the first time in my life…Excuse me for had not come to the family reunion. Pray for us great man. Yours, Vincenzo D’Anniballe

  7. Pop-Pop, Not a day goes by without thinking about you. When faced with a difficult situation I always ask myself “What would Pop-Pop do?”. With your blessing and protection I hope I’m making you proud. I Love you Pop-Pop, Your Grandson, Billy

  8. Beauty and Brains! Beauty and Brains! That’s all I used to hear from my beloved father-in-law even at the end when he was in so much agony and so frail. He never complained…It was always about how good he could make everyone else feel and never about himself. He was the consumate gentleman, the consumate salesman, and always a superb man. It is almost a year since he is gone and I miss him every day. I miss our constant kibbitzing and slightly off color jokes and I miss his wonderful optimism. God Bless You, sweetie, you don’t need any help to get out of purgatory….you went straight to heaven, honey. Much love, Barbie Carr

  9. Martha and Tassey and family, I know this has been a very difficult year for you, and I want you to remember that my family and I will always be here for you. Our prayers and thoughts will be with you through the holidays and well into the new year. God’s blessings to all of you for strength, peace, and comfort during the days ahead. We love you always, Holly (Pleasants) Bell, Wayne Hoover, Thomas Bell III, Austin and Christopher Hoover; Starry Pleasants and Billy Walker; WD and Anna Pleasants; Warren Pleasants and Ruth Keller; Mary Jane (Giebell) and Paul Pozzi

  10. I so wish I would have been able to meet my Uncle Leo. My Daddy was his brother-in-law. His wife, Martha, is my Aunt, my Daddys sister. I wish I could have met them both.


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