He was born in 1933 in the southern Italian region of Calabria, near the city of Cosenza in the village of Castiglione Cosentino. Francesco was the youngest of six children of Rosina (Magnelli) and Gabriele Lio. His first job was working as a sales rep with a food distribution center. In 1956 he married his sweetheart, Lina Fortino, also a native of Castiglione Cosentino. After his marriage he and his brother Alberico with his brother-in-law Michele Fortino worked as truck drivers. Between the three of them they drove throughout Italy. On the 23rd of February 1973 because of the sluggish Italian economy he immigrated to the United States with two suitcases, three kids, and his wife Lina. They returned to Italy frequently to visit family and friends left behind.
I would like to say Francesco Lio “Barone” personified the fines qualities of the Italian immigrants who came to America. For me he was my father, very hard working. He did all he could for his “Family”. Francesco was very proud, high spirited and spoke his mind. But there was always love in his heart. He worked as a produce manager in Chicago Illinois. Then became my partner at Lio’s Pizza in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. He was proud and cared of all his workers at Lio’s Pizza at Sunny Hills Farms.
Even the once that drove him nuts. “ And you know who you are if you reading this.”
At the end of the day he asked me in his fashion if things could have been done better.
“Don’t ask me to apologize though.” LOL.
What broke his heart mostly, was when his high spirited personality mixed words with his “Family”.No one saw the turmoil in his heart those days and the talks we shared.
He loved his brothers very much especially his brother Alberico. I swear the more they argued the more the love poured out for those two. It was fun watching them play bocce. Even when they cleaned out the competition. They managed to express their point of view to each other with exuberant. They also loved to play cards and cheated sometimes, but I believe they loved the clash and Trash talk the most. They always. Always had each other’s back no matter what.
When his older brother passed away “Alberico Lio” it was like someone ripped his heart out. He really never got over that. Especially since he was the last of the blood line of that generation.
He had lost his counter point of view, and never found his equal, but it did not stop him from looking. He could not express himself fully with people without some backlash. It just was not the same. All his brothers, sisters, mother, and father had passed on.
Francesco was preceded in death by his Brother: Alberico Lio, M. Teresa Lio-Gesualdi, Adeline Lio-Boschelli, Virginia Lio-Fabiani, a brother, Egidio Lio, He is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Lina Lio and his loving children: Katia (Tony) Acri, Gabriella (Rocco) Settino, and Dante Lio. The grandchildren: Giuseppe (Francesca Bruno) Settino, Tiziana (Andrew Chavez), Rocco(Agnese Di Ruocco) Settino, Ida Settino,and Adriano Acri.
The great-grandchildren: Martina Settino, Francesca Chavez, Alessia Chavez, Nicolo, and Lorenzo Settino.
Francesco leaves behind nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in the United States, Canada, and Italy. Such as his Brother’s Children and grandchildrens in Harrisburg: Rose (Tony) Lio, Romeo (Maria Luisa) Lio, and Maria (Giovanni) DiSanto. The grandchildren: Armando (Jill) Lio, Alberico (Cinzia) Lio, Clorinda Leone, Antonella (William) Weaver, Alessandro(Sam)DiSanto and Bianca DiSanto. The great-grandchildren: Isabella Leone, Luigi Leone, Marialuisa Lio, Will, Luke, Joseph Weaver, and Baby Giovanni Disanto.
Visitation will be at St. Catharine Laboure Catholic Parish, 4000 Derry Street from 10:00am to 11:00am on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Mass will begin at 11:00 am followed by Burial at Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Saint Catherine Laboure Catholic Parish
4000 Derry Street, Harrisburg , Pa 17111. Please don’t send flowers.
The Lio family would like to give sincere thanks to the doctors, Hospice Home Care and all the helping hands that made dads life these past few years better for him.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neillharrisburg.com for the Lio family.
