Pietro "Pete" DiBella, 80, of Pensacola, FL died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 having bravely and tirelessly fought to recover from triple bypass surgery 5 months ago.

Born on January 27, 1941 in Canicatti, Sicily, Italy, Pete was the fourth born of 7 children to Giuseppe DiBella and Carmela Drogo. As a young man Pete worked on the family farm for several years, then served in the Italian Armed Forces before moving to Switzerland to work in a comb factory.  In 1966, at the age of 25, Pete immigrated to the United States via Pennsylvania - bringing only a suitcase and $500 – in pursuit of the American Dream.  He found work at a cheese factory making mozzarella cheese (perhaps laying the foundation for his future business ventures!).  A short time later in 1967 mutual friends introduced him to Maddalena "Lina" D'Antona, an immigrant herself from the same region in Sicily.  They quickly fell in love, married in 1968, and set out to build a life together.  They welcomed sons Joe in 1969 and Sal in 1973, all while both working various factory jobs to make ends meet.  With the hopes of one day having their own business and never losing sight of the American Dream, they seized an opportunity to learn the restaurant industry.  While working at a steel mill during the week Pete worked weekends - for free - at a pizzeria.  He did it all – from washing dishes to cooking – laying the groundwork and preparing himself for future possibilities.  Lina faithfully partnered with him in his efforts and their hard work and sacrifice paid off in 1977 when they bought a pizzeria in University Mall.  Relocating their family to Pensacola, Pete and Lina built a successful business that spanned 4 decades, 2 states and 6 locations, and became a local cultural icon of the 1980's – Italy's Finest Pizzeria.  If enjoying a huge slice of pizza on trips to University Mall is part of your childhood memories, you have been on the receiving end of Pete's welcoming smile and friendly hello. Pete's favorite part of the business was his customers, and many rewarded him with their loyalty over the years. In addition to the pizzerias, Pete enjoyed leveraging his business savvy and dabbling in real estate.

Although Pete did achieve the American Dream he sought, his greatest success was his family.  He was a family man first and foremost, loving fiercely and wholeheartedly.  From very early ages, Joe and Sal joined their parents at the pizzeria – washing dishes, serving customers, wiping tables, learning the ropes - and often doing homework from the corner booth.  Working alongside his sons, Pete imparted to them valuable skills that would enable their future success – an incredible work ethic, business acumen, valuing the customer, and the importance of a quality product.  He set high expectations and encouraged his sons to dream big.  More importantly, Pete taught his sons to value relationships.  He modeled how to be a good husband – valuing his partnership with Lina, showing love and respect openly, and treating her like a queen.  He imparted to his sons his best qualities – love of family, humor, integrity, responsibility, courage, grit, endurance, respect, and resilience.  They owe their professional and personal accomplishments to his careful influence and example.  When his sons married, Pete welcomed Kim and Keri into the family with open arms and loved them as daughters.  Pete's biggest joy in life was his four granddaughters: Gianna Nicole (13), Gabriella Paige (9), Sophie Elliana (3), and Mia Katherine (1).  Pete was extremely active in their lives, rarely going more than a day without seeing them.  Pete loved his girls deeply and relished being with them - and the feeling was mutual.  The endless hours he invested in them – playing, reading, talking, teasing, singing, joking, teaching, laughing – those hours helped to shape their young lives and imparted to them his unwavering love.  He was the best Nonno ever and he will forever remain in their hearts.

He loved spending time with family – playing with the grandkids, family dinners, holidays and birthdays, simple conversation, and celebrating special milestones.  He enjoyed his espresso, gardening, 5 card poker with friends, going to the beach and Lina's cooking.

Pete is preceded in death by his parents, Giuseppe DiBella and Carmela Drogo, as well as brothers Salvatore and Gioacchino DiBella.

Pete leaves to cherish his precious memories: his loving wife of 53 years, Maddalena "Lina" D'Antona DiBella; sons, Joseph "Joe" DiBella (Keri), and Salvatore "Sal" DiBella (Kim); four granddaughters, Gianna Nicole, Gabriella Paige, Sophie Elliana, and Mia Katherine, all of Pensacola; brothers, Vincenzo DiBella, of Italy and Antonio DiBella, of Panama City; and his sisters, Pietra and Maria DiBella, both of Italy; a close circle of dear friends and a host of loyal customers who enjoyed his pizza and his company over the years.

The family would like to thank his team of doctors, especially his cardiologist Dr. Celigoj, and the Covenant Hospice staff for treating Pete with great care, compassion, and dignity, and for honoring and supporting his strong will to live.

The family would also like to thank the many loyal customers of Italy's Finest Pizzeria who have supported Pete's American Dream.  Serving you brought him immense joy over the years.  Many of you became friends and he cherished being a part of your life and the Pensacola community.

Pete was, without question, one of the kindest and most welcoming souls.  He was always smiling, happy and supportive.  His infectious laugh, warm smile and positive attitude affected everyone he met and will never be forgotten.  His death created a hole in our family that will never truly be filled.  He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, hard work, integrity, and resilience.  We will cherish his memory always and will strive to honor his life with the rest of ours.  "Heaven is lucky to have someone as amazing as you, Nonno!  Rest in Peace, we love you, forever."

The family will receive friends from 5:00pm-7:00pm Monday, April 12, 2021 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.  A funeral mass will be held 11:00am Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at St. Paul Catholic Church, with Fr. Jack Campbell celebrant. Burial will follow at Bayview Memorial Park.