Hugo DiJohn
2/16/1928 – 4/17/2022
Hugo DiJohn passed away suddenly on Easter day. With such a strong and loving commitment to God, he was blessed to be taken on such a holy day. It is now time to celebrate his life and embrace the gifts he left for all of his family and friends.
His parents immigrated from Italy and raised him in a culturally rich, Italian speaking household in Philadelphia. Only when he was enrolled in grade school did he learn to speak English. He attended Murrell Dobbins Vocational School and graduated in 1946 with a license in Applied Electricity, Light, Heat and Power.
What many do not know about his youth is that he declined a full scholarship to attend Drexel University in order to help his family during difficult financial times of that era. That gesture of selflessness is how Hugo continued to live his life rooted in his strong Christian faith. This was the core of his never-ending kindnesses and generous gestures.
He began his career with the City of Philadelphia, and ultimately rose to a senior management position within the Streets Department until his retirement after 35 years. With a full time job during the day, he took on extra side jobs to give his children opportunities he was unable to have in his youth. And in between that time, he was always lending a hand to other family members and friends, asking nothing in return. His expertise in electricity was just one layer of his skills and intellect. Bathrooms, kitchens, any installation or construction projects, including automotive, he was front and center hands on.
Later in life, when he was unable to work under a sink or haul in a hot water heater, he was always available to share his extensive knowledge of ‘how things worked’. He was the family/friend Consultant of ALL THINGS!
He never complained when he had health challenges later in life. He called it the Circle of Life and said ‘you have to do the best you can with what you got.’
The life and times of Hugo was full of fun and laughter and so many hugs! Together with his wife Rose they both enjoyed hosting at the house. A celebration was always happening in the DiJohn household. Always an open door for birthdays, graduations, holiday dinners or just friends stopping by. They had a full loving life and after her passing he had many more fun adventures in life.
Whoever knew or just met Hugo would find time shared with him memorable! No one was an acquaintance. You were A FRIEND upon meeting him for the first time which usually followed with an affectionate new nickname. Being a friend of Hugo’s is having a friend for life.
He loved dining out, taking walks, going for a drive, discovering new BYOBs, visiting with friends and his family, movies, playing chess, completing the daily crossword, watching Jeopardy and critiquing the monetary game strategies? He was always politically and locally well informed to discuss world events. The latest phone technology was one of his favorite toys! He enjoyed calling his friends and family, texting, leaving voicemail and texts with web-links…most notably, he used it as his encyclopedia: *My phone told me* ?
He enjoying dancing and singing, enjoyed wine tasting and discovering a new favorite wine. He also enjoyed a shot of, in his words, a “GOOD” TEQUILA or a “GOOD SCOTCH”. He enjoyed many years of “the guys’ get togethers playing cards, and the highlight in recent years was dining out for breakfast each week.
Laughter, love and smiles is what he leaves behind along with just a few of his expressions………..too numerous to list as many were in Italian ?
My man, pots and pans!
May the good lord take a liken to ya!
Bella madon!
Doggone my black cats kittens!
My lord is my Shepard!
La forza del destino (the power of destiny)
Hotter than billa-be-damned!
Goodness gracious St Ignatius!
My Dear Brother
Leaving a voicemail: It’s only me from under the sea, give me a b-u-z-z
During the years of his youth up until his passing, his selflessness and generosity was unfaltering. We will celebrate his life by aspiring to lead by his example. Lets raise a glass, embrace, laugh, dance and sing in memory of Hugo Dad and his love of life and for all of us. Salute and Ti voglio bene!
Hugo was the son of the late Annunziata (ne “Nancy’ Teramo) and Joseph DiJohn. He was the devoted and cherished husband of the late Rose (Deviato). He was the brother of the late Nicholas DiJohn (Adele). He was the father of the late Francis DiJohn.
He is survived by his loving brother Frank DiJohn (Rita) and his devoted children Lorraine Pecora and Nancy DiJohn Bright. He was the hero and best friend of son-in-laws Jim Pecora, Paul Bright, Desmond Peel and daughter-in-law Susan Kier (Doug). He valued and loved his grandchildren Stephen DiJohn (Amanda) Lauren DiJohn and James DiJohn Pecora. Most recently he became a great grandpop to Luciana, daughter of Stephen and Amanda DiJohn and was joyfully anticipating the birth of their second child, who is to be named Hugo DiJohn. He was so excited and honored his name would live on. Hugo is survived by many cherished extended family members, nieces, nephews and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to Hugo’s viewing Friday 4/22, 10 to 11am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 819 Cathedral Rd., Philadelphia, 19128. His Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Internment is at Westminster Cemetery, 701 Belmont Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. In lieu of flowers contributions in Hugo’s name may be made to the National Shrine of St Rita of Cascia, 1166 South Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19146 https://www.saintritashrine.org/
Uncle Hugo was the very best of uncles! Always their to lend a helping hand or give advice to my family. I enjoyed his phone calls and text messages and I would stop in to see him when ever possible. We always had fun and great conversations. I will always be grateful that I was able to see him on Good Friday, I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him, but know that he is with his God and his family that has passed before him.
Terry Pospischil
Words cannot express my gratitude to Uncle Hugo. Always humble, encouraging, and quick witted he gave me so much to aspire to. Hugo taught me the value of family, community, craftsmanship, kindness, and unconditional support. He has been a life long mentor and idol. Few men can say they lived a life so full of beauty and wonder. Uncle Hugo was our patriarch, always guiding us towards our better selves. I will sorely miss his wisdom and intelligence. Thank you for all you’ve done for me and our family. I’ll see you on the other side.
Hugo was a pleasure to treat as a patient. His mood was always uplifting and he always left the waiting room with kind words to anyone that he saw or he was sitting with. His humor, cheerfulness, and personality will stay with my staff and me forever. Although he was 94, he seemed much younger, we were so saddened by his sudden death and he will be greatly missed.
With great sympathy,
“Dr. John” Buonomo, Mrs. Jeanette Formento, Mrs Maryann Buonomo
As we prayed for Dad’s peaceful transition into heaven, my sister Nancy read a tribute at his mass which I share here for friends of Dad who could not celebrate in person his passage into heaven:
A TRIBUTE TO HUGO DIJOHN
02/16/28 – 04/17/22
Who was Dad? He was the most loving, generous, humble cheerful, fun and optimistic man. Upon meeting him for the first time, he immediately bonded with you as a friend.
He was a helpful soul, who only wanted the best for someone and nothing in return. He wanted to know everything about a person so he could offer help if needed or simply share and celebrate their accomplishments. He was selfless. He never once denied any of us children or family and friends his time, kindness and support. He practiced his faith every single day of his life by his interaction with others, a true Christian.
Dad was highly intelligent. He remembered everything and could have meaningful discussions on just about anything. Dad could fix anything and build anything. How many of our friends and family and extended family have a “Hugo” kitchen or bathroom. How many of us have had a dishwasher, garbage disposal, hot water heater, tiled floor or ceiling fan installed? Or needed more electrical outlets, or brakes fixed on your car? Dad did it all. He did a great job of fixing people too. He could cheer you up and soothe a broken heart.
Dad enjoyed singing and would spontaneously break into an Italian Song! He was a great dancer and never passed up the chance to get a lady on the dance floor. Our mother was infinitely patient and indulgent while watching him cut a rug with all the ladies. Dad enjoyed good wine, good tequila or a good scotch and enjoyed any meal, big or small. If there were leftovers, he didn’t want a meal cooked, and would ask my sister who he lived with “are we fending for ourselves tonight?” That was his way of saying don’t do anything extra.
And oh boy – his sayings, there are too many to list. One of his favorites was “Un pasto senza vino e’ come un cuore senza amore – meaning a meal without wine is like a heart without love. And his favorite greeting “My Main Man Pots and Pans!” He also enjoyed anointing you with a new nickname. Some of the best are Chedazul, Its, Scoop, Andy, Lorena, Giacomo, little nag, Jackie, dear brother. The list is endless. Some of you out there may recognize yourself in one of those nicknames.
He enjoyed sharing insightful stories of his youth with family, friends, and his grandkids. He was so excited to have his first great grandchild Luci. And now Luci’s brother, baby Hugo, is on the way. He was thrilled about that too. He was so proud of his name, HUGO – like a one named rock star! Which he was! He was a wonderful husband to our mom who has passed away. He worshipped her and of course thought she was never wrong. Dad believed that women were literally a gift from God. As a father, his love, support, and endless generosity has overflowed our hearts. Our endless thank you’s and appreciation could never be said enough.
It is unbelievable how he embraced technology like a youth. His cell phone was a lot of fun for him. He loved using it to connect with everyone, share pictures, and sending weblinks to his friends. It was his electronic encyclopedia. He would preface sharing information by saying “my phone told me’! And if you were talking with him and he wanted to know something, he would say “ask your phone”.
And most of you have experienced him leaving his infamous voicemail:
ITS ONLY ME FROM UNDER THE SEA, GIVE ME A B U Z Z!
Our thoughts end with this – He continued to live his life at 94 by always being up on current events in the world, going out with his friends, taking care of his health, enjoying each and every family and friend event. He values the small things in life. He was always grateful for each person and moment and was always content in being exactly where he was.
There is nothing more valuable than having had Hugo in your life. Many of you have a story to share about him. You are all special and we are glad and thankful you were a part of his life because that is what he valued most.
Cheers, love, and kisses to wonderful Hugo, our dear Dad.