Dario Emilio Bevilacqua
Nov. 17, 1924
Aug. 14, 2012
Dario Emilio Bevilacqua, 87, of Reno, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 14, 2012. Dario was a native Nevadan, born in Reno on November 17, 1924. His parents, who preceded him in death, were Emilio and Katie Bevilacqua, who came to the United States from northern Italy in the early 1900's and settled in Reno, Nevada. Also preceding him in death was wife Norma Bevilacqua of Sparks, Nevada, brother John Bevilacqua and sister Dollie Ellena of Reno, Nevada.
Dario attended Orvis Ring Elementary School, North Side Junior High School and Reno High School. A week after graduating from high school, Dario was drafted to serve his country in World War II. His dream of going to college to major in agriculture was put on hold.
Dario served his country from 1943 until 1946, where he was a private first class in the Army as a marksman M-1 rifle specialist. Dario saw active duty after landing in Marseille, France and fighting in the European campaign where he was severely wounded in the Battle of Bitche on the Maginot Line offensive in Reyerswiller, France in 1944. He was awarded the Purple Heart by President Harry Truman.
He returned home to Reno, and with his brother John, formed the J & D Bevilacqua House Movers. Throughout the years, until 1988, their company moved the majority of buildings throughout northern Nevada and California including the Lake Mansion, Sparks Mansion, Bower's Mansion old swimming pool , bridges, the athlete's housing auditoriums at Squaw Valley Village after the 1960 Winter Olympics, boats, airplanes and even the V & T railroad.
In 1988, retiring from the extremely physical job of house moving, Dario went to work at the Eldorado Hotel Casino. First inspecting the produce that was delivered daily to the Eldorado kitchens, eventually moving into the pasta shop where he became the Eldorado's pasta chef making the thousands of raviolis served in the Eldorado's restaurants, including the famous mushroom ravioli. Dario, with his team not only made all the pasta, including gnocchi and dried pasta, but also the daily fresh-churned gelato.
Dario had a "green thumb" and his knack for growing was well known. A wonderful gardener, Dario grew fruits, vegetables and nuts that most people said you could not grow in our severe northern Nevada climate. His yard was filled with cherry, peach, plum, apricot and almond trees, hazelnut bushes, and always a bountiful vegetable garden.
His love for cooking began in his early days, framed by his Italian heritage, and continued throughout his lifetime.
An avid outdoorsman, Dario loved to hunt and fish. There was not an opening hunting season that he wasn't ready to go. He couldn't wait for September 1, when dove season opened, as he was sure to get his limit, thereafter looking forward to a big polenta feed with his family and friends.
Dario was active in Reno's Italian organizations including the Italian Benevolent Society and the Sons of Italy. Dario also was an active member in the Reno Druids Order.
Dario will forever be loved and missed by all his family who loved him dearly.
Dario is survived by his two daughters, Charleen Marini, Rhonda (Don) Carano, grandchildren, Tony (Jennifer) Marini, Tonya Marini, great-grandchildren, Talia Rose Marini, Gianna Kay Marini, Ella Capri Marini, God-daughter, Alyssa Carano, the Don Carano family, nephews, Chris and Mike Ellena and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to Dario's caregivers who took care of him with such love and devotion include Elsa Hernandez, Amy Wright and Melissa Duarte, and also to all his friends at Emeritus of Reno for their attention to Dario's care.
Funeral service is scheduled at St. Therese Church of the Little Flower, 875 E. Plumb Lane, Reno, on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 10:00 am. A celebration of life will be held immediately after at the Eldorado Hotel Casino.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your personal charitable organization.
