December 22, 1957 – April 25, 2005
Our daddy Ray DiLulo met his Savior peacefully while holding mommy’s hand at home Monday morning. We covered him with beautiful springtime flowers. He has gone back to work and will forever protect us as he prepares our home and shows us the way. For all who knew our daddy or were touched by him, we are his and he will always live on.
Daddy was born in Billings, Montana on December 22, 1957, the second oldest of eight boys to Mike and Eleanor DiLulo. He grew up in Boise, played Optimist Football and went to St. Mary’s School. He met mommy the last night of the fair the summer before eighth grade. The summer of 1971. At school on Monday morning they met again at their lockers at North Junior High along with a lot of friends from back then. Daddy was a proud North Viking and still holds a record in track at the school.
By the time North joined East at Boise High the class was already close and became the memorable Big Red Class of ’76. Daddy was a gifted all-around excellent athlete at Boise High and his dedication to the school began. He played football, wrestled, played basketball, ran track, threw the shot put and every summer played softball with the same group of guys. He was a disciplined athletic enthusiast who believed in visuals and timing. He was awarded an athletic scholarship to the University of Minnesota his senior year and was a running back on the Golden Gophers football team. He always felt at home in Minneapolis. He loved everything about it, especially the long cold winters. Mommy was born there and her father, grandpa, played football for the Gophers so daddy had family there and felt very connected from the beginning. He married his sweetheart, Linda Sue Johnson in Boise on July 26, 1980. They moved to Seattle and daddy worked for several years as an Executive Chef following after his famous father. He mastered his father’s craft, the art of ice carving and became a personal favorite chef and caterer and consultant to many people all over the country. Daddy had a natural culinary flair and talent and people were instantly drawn to him. He was very generous in giving of his time and he lived to give. Faith, fellowship, family, friends, college football, fishing and food were daddy’s fulfillment. He was a fantastic father and sharing all this fun with us was his favorite thing to do. We were still little when daddy got sick with Lou Gehrig’s disease. We have grown up a bit. Thank you Grandma for helping mommy take care of daddy and for taking care of us. We love you daddy and we will miss you every day of our lives. You are the salt of the earth and we are your chosen ones.
Ray is survived by his wife, Linda and their four children, John, Gracie, Kyle and Johanna. A graveside service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 30 at Dry Creek Cemetery, under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel. A Celebration Feast will occur at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 1st at First United Methodist Church, Cathedral of the Rockies, 717 N. 11th. . In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to The DiLulo Family Trust, P.O. Box 6493, Boise, Idaho 83707 to benefit Ray’s children and his memorial.
