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Joseph Dino "Big Babe" Dentici

Joseph Dino Dentici, 93 ½, "aka: Big Babe, Grampa Babe, Uncle Babe," passed away Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 quietly at his home.

He was born Dec. 15, 1924 at home in Kittanning, to Antonio and Salvatrice E. (Gattuccio) Dentici.

While growing up, he worked in his family businesses from a young age at his Uncle Joe Dentici's Kittanning Market and then manager of his Roller Skating Rink. Babe was an accomplished skater and dancer and he was excellent at the Jitter Bug Dance. He was a regular at Paul's Lunch, the Rendezvous, the County Seat, the Far East Lounge and the Palais Royal.

After graduating from Kittanning High School in 1942, he served in the U.S. Army during WWII The Battle of the Bulge where he received 3 bronze battle stars. Following the war he attended Indiana State Teachers College for 2 years, and then he began working with his father in the family business, Dentici Wholesale Produce, which became his lifetime pursuit and ambition. Babe worked 6 days a week all of his life until just 2 months ago.

He was also owner of Babe's Bar on North Grant Avenue for 13 years. Babe attended St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and he was an active member of Kittanning Moose Lodge #137. In the 1960's Babe coached baseball for the Connie Mack League and was instrumental in taking the team to the State Championship where they placed second in the state.

Babe is survived by his loving and caregiving son and daughter, Mark A. Dentici, of Kittanning, and Tammy Shirley and husband, Tim, of West Kittanning; grandchildren, Max Dentici, Travis Shirley and fiancée, Kylie, Marlo Dentici, and Gina Dentici Pasco and husband, Josh; great-grandchildren, Levi Kroeck, Josh Pascoe, Jr. and Isabella Pasco; brother, Edward D. Dentici and wife, Mary Lou, of Ford City; and several nieces and nephews from all over the United States.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Phyllis "Foxy Phyl" Redfield Dentici, whom he married Aug. 23, 1946 and who died July 2, 2001; son, Donald E. Dentici, who died Oct. 9, 2008; sister, Mary Waugaman; and his parents.

Family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 515 North McKean St., Kittanning, PA.

Additional visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the Blessing Service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Raphael K. Glinkowski, O.S.P. officiating.

Interment will be in Lawn Haven Burial Estates, Worthington, PA.

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