Dr. Emidio Joseph Collevecchio, 94, of Rock Hill, SC, passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2024 surrounded by his family, at Piedmont Medical Center, Rock Hill, SC.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2024 at All Saints Catholic Church, 530 Hwy. 274, Lake Wylie, SC with Father John P. Giuliani, Father Edward McDevitt and Father Paul  Brenninkmeijer officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a future time.

Dr. Collevecchio was a first-generation American born to the late Domenico and Mary Dinino Collevecchio on August 15, 1929 and was raised in Camden, NJ. He graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and went on to receive his dental degree from Temple University School of Dentistry. 

After graduation he served for 2 years in the U.S. Navy then opened a private practice in Audubon, NJ. Drawn to serving his country, he took down his shingle a few years later and returned to the Navy, retiring as Captain nearly 3 decades later. His service took him around the world and his family to many parts of the U.S. yet he remained a very grounded and gentle man. He delighted in his family and friends and always had a kind word for people he’d meet. His gentle and playful spirit, his determination and his acceptance of others were the manifestations of his deep love of God and unwavering faith.

A lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan, Dr. Collevecchio will be remembered for his love of sports especially tennis which he played well into his 80s and billiards which he played until a couple days before he passed. He was a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, The American Dental Association, The Military Officers Association, The Fleet Reserve Association, The Academy of Military Surgeons of the United States, The Italian-American Club and the Polish-American Club of Lady Lake, Florida.

Dr. Collevecchio was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Chabon Collevecchio, a daughter, Ann Freeman, and a son, Vincent Collevecchio. Survivors are his daughters Donna Martin (Thomas LLewllen) of Lake Wylie, SC and Carolyn Blondin (Jeff) of Pawley’s Island, SC; son Edward Collevecchio (Susan) of Raleigh, NC; nine grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Judy Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org, Covenant House, P. O. Box 758636, Topeka, KS 66675 www.covenanthouse.org, and/or Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 N. Randolph St., Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203 www.nmcrs.org.

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