Vito Della Polla

Vito Della Polla was born on August 7 th , 1957. He was born in Nusco, Italy 100 km East of
Naples, a small town of less than 500 where his family farmed. Vito was the youngest of 5
siblings. He was mischievous as a child, always toeing the line with his peers and teachers. He
worked as a driving instructor as an adolescent and served in the Italian military in 1978 as a
tank driver. Vito lived in Italy until he was 22, when he vacationed in America; this became a
fateful trip, where he met his wife Laura. After six months together, they married in July 1981.
Vito and Laura initially put roots down in Bartlett, Illinois then Wheaton, IL, where Vito
quickly integrated into Laura’s family. Vito worked as a Teamsters Union truck driver delivering
construction materials to support his quickly growing family. Vito and Laura welcomed their
first child and only daughter, Deanna, in 1983; their second child and first son, Vito Jr., in 1986;
and their third child and second son, Adriano, in 1994. Vito loved nothing more than to be
surrounded by his family, embracing fatherhood whole-heartedly and never shying away from
voicing his love for his wife and kids, laughing with them, creating memories or sharing stories
from his time in Italy. He attended nearly every practice, game and tournament his children
have been a part of from childhood to adulthood, never missing a moment.
While Vito loved fatherhood, he cherished being a grandfather, always spoiling his
granddaughters. He spent each morning and evening taking his beloved granddaughters Siena
and Sophia (children of Deanna and her husband, Dave) to and from school. He was “Nonno” to
his all five granddaughters, including Lucy, Leah and Myla (children of Vito Jr. and Stephanie). It
was all smiles with Nonno around as the patriarch of the family.
Vito was often found watching the Natural Geographic and History Channel for hours.
He loved to learn about astronomy, enjoying views of the sky through his telescope when
weather allowed. Vito loved to share his gallons of homemade wine with his family during each
holiday. He was proud of his Italian heritage, and he was equally as proud to become a
naturalized American citizen at 62 years old. His family will cherish their memories of him as
endlessly loving, strong-willed and determined (“fierce like a lion” as he would say), and always
quick to deliver a one-liner to bring smiles to everyone in the room. They will remember him as
a steady force of a father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, who wore his emotions on
his sleeve as he ensured his love was felt by all.
Vito passed away in the comfort of his own home on the afternoon of January 3 rd , 2023.
He is survived by his sisters, Carmella, Antoinette, and Gianna; his loving wife of 42 years, Laura;
his children and their spouses, Deanna (Dave), Vito Jr. (Stephanie) and Adriano (Olivia); his
granddaughters, Siena, Sophia, Lucy, Leah and Myla; and many more in-laws, nieces and
nephews. While Vito’s spirit will remain with them all, his presence here on earth will be deeply
missed.