Obituary of Joseph DiLillo

Joseph DiLillo, 79, of the Bennett Hill community passed away Thursday, June 28, 2012 in a Buncombe County Hospital. A native of Capua, Casserta, Italy, he spent most of his life in Illinois and had been a resident of Swain County for the past 11 years. He was a graduate of Northern Illinois University where he received his Bachelor's and Master's Degree and received his Doctorate in Comparative Government from Sothern Illinois University. He was an associate professor at Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois. Dr. DiLillo also taught for the armed forces in Germany. His many passions in life included charitable giving, soccer, and community service. He was instrumental in founding Swain County's Youth Soccer Association. Joseph played soccer for 60 years and coached hundreds of children for 55 years. Dr. DiLillo authored two books, "Odyssey of Faith and Soccer: My Life and My Passion." Joseph was a member of the Bryson City Lions Club and volunteered for years with Sweet Thoughts Alzeimers Support Group. Joseph also participated in the Swain County Senior Games. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Connie DiLillo; three children, Angela DiLillo and husband Chris Tullier of Dothan, AL, Michael DiLillo and wife Stacey of Las Vegas, NV, Kathy Posey and husband Plato of Bryson City; two grandchildren, Michelle and James Posey; one brother, Pasquale DiLillo of Italy; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday July 2, 2012 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church of which he was a member. Father Shawn O'Neal will officiate with burial in Swain Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Crisp Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Swain County youth Soccer Association c/o Romano Michelotti 828-488-9620.