John L. Di Bacco, of Lewiston, NY, age 83, retired CFO and Vice President of Finance Fiscal Services at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, passed away on Wednesday, June 6th, 2018. Born in Niagara Falls, NY, on July 1, 1934, the son of Robert Di Bacco and Bambina (Paolilli) Di Bacco, who predeceased him.

He lived in Niagara Falls, NY, most of his life and moved to Lewiston and resided there since 1984. On June 11, 1960 he married Alessandra (Sandy) (Tecchio) Di Bacco who pre-deceased him in March of 2001.

During his 28 years at Memorial Med. Center, Mr. Di Bacco served in many capacities within the Fiscal Services Division, culminating as Vice President in 1973 and retiring in 1992. Prior to his employment at Memorial, he served in the US Army for two years and worked at the Buffalo General Hospital. He attended Niagara University and University of Buffalo. He held a BS degree in accounting and finance.

While at Memorial, Mr. Di Bacco shared in many successful accomplishments, among which were the addition of the Schoellkopf Building and Nursing Home, the parking ramp with the medical office building on its seventh floor, renovation of existing buildings and the first phase of the Summit Medical Mall (HealthPlex). He also played a major role in the corporate re-organization of the Medical Center which developed into a parent company and several subsidiary companies. He held many board positions within the corporate structure, namely VP of the Medical Center, Asst. Treasurer of the Nursing Home Co. Treasurer of the NF Medical Foundation and President of Niagara Services. In his retirement he formed the Retirees Association. He served on its organizational committee and became the President of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Di Bacco was responsible for the creation of, and became the charter treasurer and the second President of, the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Federal Credit Union, serving for more than 25 years. In forming the credit union, Mr. Di Bacco became the first member of the organization. During his over 25 years as treasurer and President, he saw the credit union grow through the years. He took great pride in the successful administration of the credit union through all of those years.

In association with his position as Chief Financial Officer of Memorial, John was a member of and served on many committees of the Healthcare Association of NYS and WNY. While on these committees, he helped establish the associations medical malpractice insurance program, and he also served on the third-party rate setting and finance committees. In addition, he served on the Chairman's advisory board of Mutual of America. John was a member of the Healthcare Financial Managers Association.

John enjoyed music and played the accordion and classical guitar. He read extensively and favored history and biographies. He enjoyed gardening, art, traveling and golf. Among his travels were trips to Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Great Britain, most of the 50 states and the South Sea islands. He spent the winter months in Florida.

His red '76 Corvette was his favorite summer car. He became an accomplished wine maker; his favorite was red zinfandel. He enjoyed designing buildings including his Lewiston home that he had built in 1984. John worked extensively on researching and assembling his family tree, which he was able to extend back several generations. In his earlier years, he enjoyed oil painting. His three grandchildren were his pride and joy and he spent much time with them.

John was active in his community and participated in many of its organizations. He served for six years as treasurer on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Niagara; he was a board member and treasurer of the Niagara Council of Arts; he was the treasurer of the Buffalo Guitar Quartet and served as an advisor and consultant to numerous government agencies and private businesses through-out NY State. John was a participant in the formulation and planning of what is now Artpark and was in attendance of the opening ceremonies. He also was treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Music School of Niagara for several years.

In his retirement he sat on the Lewiston Republican Committee and was active in several of their functions. He also a member of the Lewiston Council of the Arts, the Lewiston Historical Association and the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston.

Survivors include his son, David John Di Bacco; daughter-in-law, Nancy Jo (McNulty) Di Bacco; his grandsons, Anthony John and Robert David Di Bacco; his granddaughter, Marissa Ann Di Bacco; a brother, Don Di Bacco, and his wife, Janice (Abray) Di Bacco; nephew, Dr. Louis (Sue) La Barber; sisters-in-law, Jackie (John) Teixeira, Teresa Koch; brother-in-law, Mike Tecchio (Eileen Marino) and all of their children. Other survivors include dear friends, Dr. Ronald Cheff and his wife, Arlene Cheff, and their children.

He was pre-deceased by his wife, Alessandra Di Bacco (Sandy Tecchio); his birth parents, Robert and Bambina Di Bacco; his father and mother (that raised him), Lawrence and Mary Di Ruscio; and their children, Ida (Louie) La Barber and Irene Di Ruscio; and their son, Guido Di Ruscio.
Visitation will be on Friday, June 8th from 2-4:30 PM and 7-9 PM at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls. John's Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM in Holy Family Parish and St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery to follow.  Memorial offerings in Mr. Di Bacco's name may be made to any local hospital in Niagara County. Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for register.