Hugo S. Antonelli

Hugo S. Antonelli, age 96, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away Sunday, February 20, 2022 at the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford, Delaware.

  Hugo was born September 9, 1925 in Wilmington, Delaware, son of Pietro and Anna Naticchioni Antonelli. He is preceded in death by his sister, Constance D’Urso and Ezio Antonelli. His remaining brother, Peter Antonelli lives in Wilmington, Delaware. Hugo is also preceded in death of his first wife, Dorothy Ann Antonelli (Mele). In April 1970, Hugo married Lillian Leverage Pryor in Wilmington, Delaware and they have been married for almost 51 years.

  Hugo attended Bayard Junior High School and Wilmington High School. He grew up in Little Italy and played sports (football and baseball) at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. As a young man, he worked at the Huber Baking Co. before he entered the Army. His Army Induction date was 11/18/43 - Fort Dix, NJ. He was on Active Service from 12/10/43 to 11/23/45 Branch of Service: Co A 423 Inf 106 Div. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive. He was captured and sent to a German prison camp for six months. He was awarded: Bronze Star Medal/Prisoner of War Medal/European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars/Belgian Fourragere/Honorable Discharge. On April 7, 2004 he was awarded a Tribute from The State of Delaware - House of Representatives for his Military Service.

  Hugo was employed at General Motors for thirty years. After retirement, he worked as a security officer at the Brandywine Racetrack. He also umpired softball for over twelve years.

Hugo enjoyed all kinds of sports especially bowling. He was on several bowling leagues in the 60s and 70s. He bowled a 299 Game in 1967 for the General Motors Employees Bowling League. He also enjoyed playing golf. He coached a baseball team in the 60s and later started umpiring softball. He loved the Philadelphia Phillies and the NY Yankees. He especially loved the Italian players. Hugo loved to travel as long as it didn’t involve an airplane. He and Lillian enjoyed their senior center bus trips with all their friends.

  Hugo loved his family. He was always there for all of us. He is survived by four children: Peter F. Antonelli (wife Kimberly) from Lewes, DE, Denise A. Crew of Wilmington, DE, Stepson, Glenn Pryor (wife Rochelle) of Lisbon, CT, and stepdaughter, Valerie Landis of Poolesville, MD. He has nine grandchildren, Kevin Antonelli (wife Karen), Peter Antonelli Jr., Patricia Antonelli, Michael J. Crew (wife Julia), Dorothy Duckworth (husband Keith), Amy Jo Hopkins, Dylan Landis, Shoshanna Stoume (husband Kevin) and Rebecca Pryor. He also has seven great grandchildren with one on the way next month.

  A Mass of Christiana Burial Will be Celebrated on Monday February 28th at 11:00am at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 9th and Dupont Streets, Wilmington, DE. Family and Friends are invited to a visitation at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church beginning at 10:00am Monday February 28th.  Interment will follow Mass in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE. 

  The Antonelli family wishes to thank the entire staff of the Delaware Veterans Home for their excellent and loving care of Hugo for the past three years. The respect and dignity he was given at this facility was very much appreciated. In lieu of flowers: Contributions to the Delaware Veterans Home, 100 Delaware Veterans Blvd, Milford, DE 19963 would be welcome in Hugo’s name.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hugo S. Antonelli, please visit our floral store.