Dr. Ernest M. Fidance passed away peacefully on June 9, 2025 at the age of 92. He was the youngest of four children born in Wilmington to Splendora (DiSabatino) and Michael Fidance and was a lifelong resident of Wilmington and Greenville.
Ernie was the last surviving grandson of Ernesto DiSabatino, a stone mason who in 1908 founded Ernest DiSabatino & Sons, Inc. general contractors, which in turn became the EDiS Company whose many landmark projects—including St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Alexis A.I. DuPont High School, and St. Francis Hospital—continue to define the Greater Wilmington skyline and beyond.
Ernie graduated from Wilmington High School in 1950 and, after attending University of Maryland and LaSalle University, graduated from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry in 1959. After serving his residency at the New York Poly Clinic, he opened his private practice in 1960 and began his 50 plus year career as an excellent, caring, ethical dentist in Wilmington. He was a member of the Delaware State Dental Society, the American Dental Association and several other distinguished societies; however, his happiest accomplishment as a professional was his dedicated service to his many loyal and long-term patients. His grandchildren were even lucky enough to have him as their first dentist.
Soon after he began his dental practice, he met and married Mary Jo Palese and they began their 61-year life together, raising two children and welcoming four grandchildren along the way.
Ernie was a sports enthusiast. Besides lettering in football, basketball and baseball in high school, he spent years playing tennis, golf, and squash – the latter of which he competed in at Wilmington Country Club (where he was a member for 50 years) until he was in his 80s.
Dr. Fidance was a founding member of the Grand Opera House Board of Directors and a long time member and past president of the Caesar Rodney Rotary Club in addition to serving in various capacities in other charitable organizations. However, his greatest passions were his hobbies especially scuba diving, music and travel. He went on dives worldwide until he was in his mid-70s, and it was one of his greatest joys. He was a musically gifted, self-taught piano player, with a passion for creating, writing and directing (and starring in!) mini-musicals, plays, and skits across may genres. His wit, sense of timing, and hyperbolic parodic ability were acclaimed by all who knew him. He absolutely adored Broadway, classical and songs that celebrated his Italian-American heritage and was a life-long fan and collector of all of the work of Frank Sinatra. In the end, he lived life to the fullest and with his wife Mary Jo traveled the world alone, with their children, and with their close friends.
Ernie’s extended family and his many friends knew him as the life of the party, but he never strived to be the center of attention. He was a master storyteller with a repertoire of hundreds of anecdotes and jokes for any and every occasion. Wide and concentric circles of couples and families became the core of Ernie’s and Mary Jo’s active social life, giving “Nest” an outlet for his love of comedic artistry; everyone he knew holds an ‘Ernie Story’ close to his or her heart. Indeed, his legendary sense of humor was only surpassed by a love of games: be they board games, card games, beach games, word games, or ones he made up. With his grandkids—or even with the children of others—he was the Pied Piper of play and fun. There was no one with more time and energy for kids than Ernie Fidance and his creativity of all kinds knew no bounds. Above all, though, Ernie was a family man, devoted to his wife and children and had a rich home life.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents as well as sisters, Marie Fidance Fortunato, Betty Fidance Russo and brother Thomas Fidance.
He is survived by his loving wife Mary Jo, his daughter Jenni Weldon (Will) of Kennett Square, PA and his son Michael (Ileana) of London, UK, as well as his absolutely adoring grandchildren, Alison and Meghan Weldon, and Quentin and Evan Fidance. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Marie Fidance and many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at the Country House in Greenville whose professional, patient, supportive and caring ability to look after him in his final months made his life enjoyable until the very end. We are immensely grateful for their kindness and compassion.
Ernie was a man of upstanding character and integrity and a true gentleman who was still opening the door and pulling the chair out for his wife even when he struggled to do so.
No matter how you knew him – Hon, Dad, Poppy, Uncle Ernie, Cousin Ernie, Dr. Fidance, Ernie, Ern, Fang or Nest – he will be sorely missed.
Visitation will be held on June 18, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Joseph on the Brandywine in Greenville, DE on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 10:00 am. Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The World Health Dental Organization, https://worldhealthdental.org, Caesar Rodney Rotary Fund, https://www.rotary.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give or the Alzheimer’s Association, https://donorservices.alz.org.
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