Obituary
Kenneth Edward DiLello, age 75, of Citra, FL, passed away on January 16, 2023 following a brief period of illness at E.W. & Lucille Cates Hospice House in Marion County, FL. Ken was born on March 4, 1947 to Francis and Margaret DiLello of Warwick, Rhode Island. When a child, he was taken in and raised by his “adoptive” parents, Sarah and Jake Allman of Hackensack, New Jersey.
In his youth, Ken built and raced hot rods as a hobby. His interest shifted to flying by offering private charter services while piloting a small jet plane. Over his career, he built homes eventually owning his own construction company. He also specialized in setting marble and tile for twenty years.
Ken’s photography interest turned into an additional career as a professional wedding photographer. His passion and skill grew with additional training studying with Joyce Tennyson at Maine Media Workshops + College.
Ken was able to talk about anything. Folks would say he never met a stranger. Ken loved storytelling and was skilled at conveying meaning and visual story through his love of large format photography, particularly still life and portraiture.
For the majority of his life, Ken enjoyed building things and bluegrass music and sharing stories. His family and friends will always remember him as a friendly person with a good sense of humor. Ken enjoyed traveling, especially to hear good bluegrass music. He had fond memories of attending festivals in Maine, Virginia, and Arizona.
He is survived by his wife, Marthalynne Allen of Citra, FL; daughter Cheryl Landecho of Bayville, NJ; and son Kevin DiLello of NJ.
He is preceded in death by his parents, “adoptive” parents, birth siblings, and his “adoptive” sisters, Margaret Reiner of Orchard Park, NY, Alice Touw of Wayne, NJ , and Jean Dower of PA.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Pine United Methodist Church, 6925 NE 175th Street Rd, Citra, FL 32113 at 1:00 PM.
Tax-deductible donations in Ken’s memory may be made to Maine Media Workshops + College, P.O. Box 200, Rockport, ME 04856. Further information can be found at the following link:
https://www.mainemedia.edu/life-at-mmwc/alumni-network/donate/
Service
6925 NE 175th Street Rd, Citra, FL 32113
Thank you everyone. It’s been a journey without my beautiful husband. I miss him and send you all a hug.
He was known as a good person who would do his best to help anyone in need.
May the Lord and angels be with him on his journey into heaven.