De Laurentis, William; (23 July 1918 – 21 Oct. 2012) was born and raised in Toronto, the youngest child of Francesco and Angelina De Laurentis (née Apostoli), immigrants from the Miano area of Abruzzo, Italy. Growing up on Centre Avenue in The Ward, Willie learned flute, clarinet, and saxophone. He performed professionally with a variety of jazz and big bands throughout the 1930s and 40s, including the Trump Davidson Band and George Saltstone’s Orchestra. While gigging around Ottawa he met Freda Milne whom he married in 1941. During WWII, Willie served with the Governor General’s Foot Guards as sergeant and saxophonist, performing regularly on Parliament Hill. In 1948, he and his brother Joe opened The Dell Tavern, one of Toronto’s first Italian restaurants and a popular hang-out for local businessmen, musicians, doctors, and newspapermen. The brothers expanded the business in 1962 when they opened the Theatre in the Dell. It gained renown with cabaret shows such as What’s a Nice Country Like You…, Oh Coward! and Toronto Toronto, and provided a venue for actors and singers, many of whom later found fame in Hollywood or TV. The Dell remained a fixture on Elm Street until the brothers’ retirement in 1986. Willie, known as Bill in business circles, was a Past Chair of the Harry Newman Foundation, a Past President and a member of the Toronto Central Lions Club for over 60 years, and a member of the Islington Golf Club for almost as long. For him, the good life was golfing with friends, a meal with family, and a glass of good brandy while enjoying the ball game. This past summer he sold his home of 57 years to move to Elora. He is predeceased by his wife Freda, son Frank, brothers Fred and Joe De Laurentis, & sisters Silia De Laurentis and Eda Pompilii. Surviving him is his son Fred De Laurentis (Margaret) of South River, granddaughters Talia De Laurentis of Rockland, & Elysia DeLaurentis (Ernie Kalwa) of Elora, as well as a host of friends and relations, all of whom will miss him dearly. During his recent illness, Willie received phenomenal care and the family would like to thank Dr. Mark Easterbrook (Willie said “he’s terrific!”), Angela, Amanda, Heather, Shirley, Ruth, and all of the other nurses at Groves Hospital who did such a great and caring job, the Bayshore Nurses, and Shannon Brinkmann and the staff at Heritage River who made Willie feel so at home and did their utmost to make him comfortable. Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel in Toronto, 2357 Bloor St. W., at Windermere, east of the Jane Subway, on Friday, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service in the Chapel on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 10 o’clock. Interment Mount Hope Cemetery. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Lions Club of Toronto (Central), Suite 423, 157 Adelaide St. W., Toronto, M5H 4E3. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca.
