Camillo Depaolo

After many years of battling thyroid cancer, Camillo (Polly) DePaolo was called home on the morning of January 11th. His loving wife of 58 years, Joyce Adeline DePaolo, was at his side as he quietly slipped away. Previous to his death, Polly enjoyed the company of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other loved ones.
Polly was born on July 19th, 1926 in the small community of Gebo, WY to Donato and Maria (Parrissi) DePaolo. Although his father was killed in a tragic mining accident when he was two years old, Polly always carried the memory of his beloved father. Polly, his sister Carmella and their mother then moved to join Donato's brother and family in Rankin, PA. It was there that Maria met and married Carmen Casciato and they moved back to Casper. Two more siblings were added to the family, a brother Paulie and a sister Annie.
At age 17, Polly joined the United States Army. He served in World War II, stationed in the Philippines, Korea, and Japan. He was awarded several medals for his courageous tours during the war. He was presented with the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Bronze Star Medal. He was also given an Honorable Service Lapel Button from WWII.
After returning home he fell in love with Joyce Adeline Foster and married her on July 10th, 1948. God blessed this union with three children; oldest son, Hugh Daniel (Casper, WY), only daughter Vicki Lynn (Rapid City, SD), and youngest son, Ronald Wayne and wife Jo (Casper, WY). The three children delighted their father with grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Gary DePaolo, wife Jennifer, children Alexis and Evan (Casper, WY); Dan DePaolo (Eugene, OR); Cam DePaolo (Eugene, OR); Megan DePaolo (Portland, OR); PJ Whittle, wife Jolene, children Annie and Bailey (Casper, WY); Andrew Whittle (Casper, WY); Kyle Smith, wife Angie, children Austin, Jessica, and Dylan (Casper, WY); Rachel Busche, husband Mike, children Gillian and Caleb (Jefferson City, MO); Mandi Welsh, husband Ryan, children DeAnna and Camilla (Gillette, WY); Gena Whitson and husband Andy (Rockford, Illinois); Chelse DePaolo (Casper, WY); Camdon DePaolo (Rapid City, SD); and Cale DePaolo (Casper, WY).
Outside of the love Polly held for his large, Italian family, he had a passion for providing civic service. Polly started this service as a Boy Scout Leader, he then moved on to be an Adult Advisor for the Catholic Youth Organization, a basketball coach, and was a president and board member of the Boys and Girls Club. He also sponsored many Casper youth organizations and activities such as Troopers, Kelly Walsh Sports and Last Blast, Casper Hockey, Casper Midget Football, Casper Youth Baseball and Casper Softball. Polly was the district governor and president of the board for NECA (National Electrical Contractors' Association.) Above all, Polly had a special place in his heart for the Lion's Club Organization where he served as district governor for two terms, served as president of the board and a board member for many years. He was also the Camp Director for the Allen H. Stewart Lion's Camp; the Lion's Club Grand Marshall for the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo Parade; a three time recipient of the Melvin Jones Award; on the Lions of Wyoming Foundation Board; and a board member for the Rocky Mountain Eye Bank.
Polly loved to work with his hands and fulfilled the true American Dream. He built a home for his mother and was constantly re-modeling and upgrading the home he purchased for his family. Aside from constructing the Lighthouse, wife Joyce's business, h e also built the building in which he started his self-owned business, Apollo Electric (1972). He retired from Apollo in 1992 where he and son Ron worked as partners. With his business-savvy personality, Polly also helped conduct work around son Hugh's practice, helping with financial matters early on and completing "handy-man" projects in his later years.
Polly was a well respected business man in the Casper community for many years, but his biggest satisfaction came with the pride he carried about the family he started.
Donations in Polly's memory may be made to:

Hospice Home of Casper
319 S. Wilson
Casper, WY 82601

Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank
P.O. Box 6026
Aurora, CO 80045