Andrew P. Vattilana Jr.

Andrew P. Vattilana Jr. of Wilmington, DE passed away peacefully on Sunday November 27, 2022 at age 96. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Connie Vattilana, nee DiNapoli, daughters Linda Niebauer, (Brian) and Andrea Davis (Edward). He is further survived by five grandchildren, Brian Jr. (Vitaliya), Sean (Kristen) and Jennifer Niebauer, Matthew (Sarah) and Nicholas Davis. Andrew was also the loving great-grandfather to Hope, Ellie, Nicholas, Ryan, Joshua, and Evelyn.

Andrew is also survived by his siblings, Joseph Vattilana, Sister Rose Vattilana, Mary Hartnett, Dolly Miranda, Theresa Buckalew and pre-deceased by his sister Joanne Huntington.
Andrew attended the old Forwood Elementary School on Silverside Road and AI DuPont Junior High school. He is a graduate of P.S DuPont High School and the Fletcher Brown Vocational School where he studied electrical. Further extending his education he attended night classes at the University of Delaware and the Dale Carnegie program, studying Math, English Literature, and Management.

Andrew received police training and worked as an Air Raid Warden during the second world war. He also received extensive training from the Delaware State Fire School for his Fire, Rescue and Ambulance (EMT) volunteer service.

On his father’s family farm, which was at the intersection of Marsh and Silverside Roads, Andrew was involved with the Pennsylvania State University seminars on Mushroom Growing. Along with his brother Joe, Andrew designed and built numerous labor-saving devices and mechanisms, from fertilizer/manure turners to automatic waterers and blow down mechanisms to aid in the growing of mushrooms, Growers from nearby Kennett Square would often visit the Vattilana mushroom houses just to see what Andy and Joe had invented. That property is now known as the Branmar Plaza Shopping Center.

Andrew, as an adult, worked as a carpenter for the Capano and Capaldi companies. He was an electrician doing commercial and industrial electrical installations for Engle Electric in Philadelphia. Andy was also a twenty-five-year employee of the DuPont company as the first on-site licensed electrician at the Dupont Experimental Station where Andy worked contracts administration and as an Engineering Planning Assistant. He was granted numerous awards for his Safety and Efficiency suggestions at DuPont. Andrew was also a part-owner and founder of the Doe Mountain ski area in Macungie, PA. performing multiple operational responsibilities over the ownership lifespan.

Andy donated uncountable hours to his local community and parish. He served for thirteen years as the chairman of the Ardencroft Civic Association, where he was instrumental in getting hard roads installed in Ardencroft. He served as Coach and Manager for CYO Basketball and Baseball teams at Holy Rosary Parish in Claymont. He also was chairman for many fund-raising events held at that parish. Andy is a Life Member of the Claymont Volunteer Fire Company where he served as a firefighter, ambulance and truck driver as well as serving as company treasurer.
For over forty-five years, until the time of his passing, Andrew has honored his parents’ wishes that he serve as manager and landlord of the Vattilana family owned property where the mushroom farm once stood. Through the years, Andy has been the financial manager for the family. Additionally Andrew successfully spearheaded the renegotiation of the long-term lease on the property which should lead to keeping the property within the family for future generations.

He was a loving husband to Connie. A devoted father to Linda and Andrea. He was a mentor to his son-in-laws on all sorts of topics and loved being with his grand and great-grand kids. Mostly though, Andy Vattilana was a man of great wisdom, generosity and love. Who always trusted in God.