Romolo ‘Rom’ DiCianno passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his daughter’s home in Sparks, Nevada, on July 21, 2018, after a brave battle with cancer.
Romolo was born August 19, 1931, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Amedeo Pasquale DiCianno and Carmela Mendozzi DiCianno, two Italian immigrants.
The family moved to East Ely, Nevada, in 1934 and lived in a section house by the tracks of the Northern Nevada Railroad where Amedeo worked.
Rom attended East Ely Grade School and White Pine High School in Ely, graduating in 1949. He decided that college was not his forte and, at the urging of his mother, took the Civil Service Exam to work for the U. S. Postal Service. He worked for USPS from 1950-52. He was drafted and served in the Korean War from 1952-1954, based in Yakuza, Japan. The climate did not agree with his eczema, which was so bad that he couldn’t even load his weapon. He was transferred to the Signal Corps after spending 118 days in Tokyo General Hospital. The Sergeant asked if anyone in the line-up knew how to type. Romolo raised his hand and shouted, “I do!” He then became Company Clerk for the next 17 months. It should be mentioned that the only reason he knew how to type was because he got kicked out of Auto Mechanics class and had to take a typing class. He was an extremely proud veteran.
He returned to work for the Postal Service from 1954 to 1990, when he retired as Postmaster. He was an exemplary employee, accumulating over 3500 hours of sick leave. In 1956, his boss at the Post Office set him up on a blind date with Billie Manderville, the new Canadian nurse in town. It was love at first sight and they married in February of 1957.
Rom was a member of the Elks Lodge for 55 years, a member of the Ely Lions Club for 48 years, and served on the Ely City Council from 2007 to 2013. Rom was very active in the community as a volunteer and enjoyed flipping pancakes for many a community breakfast.
Rom is survived by his sister Marie Carrick of Ely, brother Richard DiCianno of Reno, sons Currie (Barbara) DiCianno of Sparks, and John DiCianno of Ely; his daughter Carmi (Sam) Gundersen of Sparks; his granddaughters Mandi and Jenna Gundersen; grandsons Jared and Sam DiCianno; great grandson, Caden DiCianno; and 14 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Billie DiCianno.
Romolo will be dearly missed by his family, friends and the entire community. He will be remembered for his selflessness, generosity, humor, and kind heart.
Special thanks to Circle of Life Hospice for their excellent care and compassion.
There will be a Rosary at Mountain Vista Funeral Home in Ely at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ely. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Ely Lions Club, P. O. Box 151664 Ely, NV 89315.
I knew Rom when I was just a young kid growing up in Ely. He was a friend of my brother Max, who was a mail carrier and later, a janitor for the Ely and McGill Post Offices. I specifically remember one “weekend” when parts for my motorcycle had arrived at the Ely Post Office, I called Rom and asked him (more like begged him) to retrieve the parts for me. He went to the Post Office and got the parts for a very excited kid. I knew him as a funny, fun-loving man who went out of his way to help people, especially a 16 year old kid. My heart is deeply saddened by the passing of this wonderful man. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
I worked for Rom at the Ely Post Office for 3\12 years he took a chance on me, and I retired from the Post Office in Bountiful Utah, I will always be grateful for Rom, he was such a good man and one of the best supervisors and managers i have ever known. May God bless the DiCiano family at this time, Rom was truly a giant among men.
I was hired by Rom at the Ely post office in 1977 I worked there 3/12 years before transfering to Bountiful UT. Rom was one of the best supervisor managers I have ever known, he was kind and caring and a real giant among men a great example to all. I am eternally grateful for Rom because of him I had a 35 year career with the USPS. May the Lord bless the DiCianno family at this time. J. Chris Jensen
When I attended the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, I couldn’t believe that Rom was one of the only people there besides me who had been there 25 years before. I knew from reading the “Ely Sometimes” that he was a city councilman, and from reading this obituary that he was in the first instance the Ely Postmaster on the Museum’s opening weekend. On that weekend I was a Rio Grande R.R. track laborer doing a “Great Circle Tour” holiday weekend with the woman I was dating at the time. We traveled from Salt Lake City, picniced in the city park at Delta, dined and stayed at the Border Inn, camped and toured Lehman Caves at the “new” Great Basin National Park, missed the sold-out train ride on Labor Day (had called ahead earlier and were told we wouldn’t need reservations!), so chased the Ghost Train up to the copper pit in a line of following cars that was led by friends from Salt Lake who were shooting a video (now DVD) that I still show at the p.r./marketing tables for “the Railroad” at model railroad shows in Utah and around the West, being a volunteer for the museum since 2011. At the end of the afternoon, Anne and I drove back to Salt Lake City the quicker way via Wendover. Due to my many weekends and vacations doing on-site volunteering in old East Ely and meeting–and working with–so many wonderful people like Mr. DiCianno, I consider Ely (and White Pine County) to be my “2nd city”, my “other place”.
My sincere condolences to Toms family.Rom DiCianno was One of the kindest and most caring and generous guys I ever knew. He was a gentleman and a scholar..I always saw a smile with Rom and Billie. Rom was a professional and a great customer service and carrier for Ely. I remember if Sacred Heart needed a volunteer..Rom stepped up to help. Thank you Rom for your devotion and dedication to your family..your Lord and church, your community and your Country. R.I.P. Dom!
All who knew Rom know that a good man has left us.
To Carmi, Currie, . John and Marie Sorry to here about your amazing dad and brother. He was such a fun loving guy and a good friend of our families. He would stop by the station and visit with us after he retired was always happy and cheerful. He was one of the many characters of old Ely and will truly be missed.