Francis Mark Di Rienzo

Francis M. DiRienzo was born February 13, 1927, to John and Sarah DiRienzo, in Madison, Wisconsin.  He graduated from West High School, in Madison, Wisconsin, with an emphasis in science, math and aeronautics. Francis served his Country, admirably, from June 16, 1945 through December 31, 1946.  He served with the Army of the United States, Headquarters Squadron of the 20th Air Force.  Francis served in Guam and the Marianna’s Islands in the Pacific.  Among his many skills, he drove a 7½ ton tractor trailer, and was qualified as a sharpshooter.  Upon discharge, he received the World War II Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. Shortly after discharge, Francis married the love of his life, Irene DeCardy.   They raised a family in Madison, Wisconsin. After beginning College, to study Engineering, at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, he was called into the family business, Di Rienzo Bros. Monuments and Markers, in Madison, Wisconsin, a business which was established in 1911.  Francis worked in the family business, with his father John, and brother Roland.  He became president and corporate pilot for the company, until retiring and selling the business, in 1987. When Francis initially entered the Army, he had hoped to become a Military Aviator, but with WWII nearing a close, that was not to be.  Immediately after his discharge, he began taking flying lessons, under the GI Bill.  He earned his private, instrument, commercial, multiengine, certified flight instructor and instrument instructor ratings, and ultimately his airline transport rating. After Francis’s brother Roland,  was discharged from the service, he joined the family business. The two went about restoring a 1940’s UPF-7 Waco, fabric covered biplane, with which they learned to fly aerobatics.  Over the years, Di Rienzo Bros. owned several airplanes, which they flew for corporate business and pleasure.  Their favorite and final aircraft was a Beechcraft Bonanza.  Along with the family business, Francis taught many students to fly, and earn their instrument ratings, several of which fly for the airlines. He also flew missions commercially, and flew several rescue missions to retrieve severely injured accident victims, including the rescue of the, badly injured, Dane County Sherriff, deep into Canada, in severe night icing conditions.  He also survived a complete engine failure, over the many lakes and heavily forested, Northern Wisconsin.  Having taught emergency landing techniques, as a flight instructor, he was able to land the plane safely, in a very small clearing.  There were no injuries, or damage to the aircraft. Francis was an avid outdoorsman, who loved to fish and hunt.  He shared his love of fishing, hunting and flying with his family.  In 1967, he built a cabin, near Presque Island in Northern Wisconsin, on Lake Van Vleit, where many enjoyable family times were had.  Eventually, Francis and Irene moved to Seven Lakes West, NC.  Irene preceded him in death in August, 2013, after which he moved to Winston-Salem, NC. Francis has stated that he believes that God has guided his life, and has protected him through many of life’s perils.  He further stated that he was ready to go to heaven, and be with his wife, Irene. Francis is survived by Mark DiRienzo, and his wife Rebecca, of Denton, NC, Paul DiRienzo, and his wife Aleta, of Marinette, Wisconsin, 7 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday March 18, 2017 at Davidson Funeral Home, Lexington. Inurnment of the cremains will take place at a later date at Resurrection Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin. There will be no public visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice and Palliative Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston Salem, NC 27103 or to Sheets Memorial Baptist Church, 210 Cotton Grove Road, Lexington, NC  27292.Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net