Passed Away on April 14, 2017. Age 88
Was born in a house at 195 Chestnut St., February 13, 1929 to Anthony and Carmella Rancone. He was a proud graduate of Cretin High School (Class of ’47). He often stated that he learned how fragile life is, serving his country as a U.S.A.F. pilot in the Korean War. In his dress uniform, he met nurse Bernardine Halloran from Bird Island on a blind date and got married 30 days later for the next 60 years until her death in 2012. Through his career in commercial real estate development, he leaves his thumbprints from Edina to Lilydale and especially in his beloved downtown St. Paul. He commissioned a piece of public art in the fountain on 4th and St. Peter Streets entitled “La Nuova Vita” – The New Life – in tribute not only to his Italian relatives, but to the gifts that all immigrants bring to St. Paul and America. He now joins his sister Jean; infant daughter, Mary; grandson, Tony; his great in-laws, Dick Cunningham, Art Baumeister, Tom and Bill Halloran and Jim Murphy, along with his relatives from the Palumbo and Halloran/Hillemeier clans, and friends who have pre-deceased him. He leaves behind sons, Mark (Jeanne), Michael (Mary Bifulk), Gregory (Shannon McFall) and John; grandchildren, Natalie (Pat) Cahalan, Nick, Frank (Julia), Mia (Devin), Natasha and Alisha, Gino and Angela; great-grandchildren, Oliver, Miles, Enzo and Elisabetta; loving sister, Lorraine Cunningham; in-laws, Karol Baumeister, Arlene Murphy, Bob Halloran, Alverne Halloran, Iris Halloran and friend Suzanne Werner and her gracious family. Thanks to the HealthEast oncology and hospice teams, Dr. James Shanks and caregivers, Ann and Paulina. A special thanks to Dr. Jim Giefer for his compassionate guidance. Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 am Friday, April 21st, at the Church of the Assumption, 51 7th St. W., St. Paul. Visitation prior starting at 8:30. Private Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials to Cretin-Derham Hall High School or donor’s choice.