Francesco "Frank" B. Dimaria

Francesco "Frank" B. DiMaria, 78, of Wernersville, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Reading Hospital on Saturday, January 13, 2018.

Born in Delia, Sicily, Italy, he moved to Venezuela at 17 before coming to the United States in his early twenties. He returned to Sicily and married Vincenza "Enza" (Fratantoni), his beloved wife, in 1968.

Mr. DiMaria settled in Reading and lived there for decades before moving to Wernersville in 1996. He worked in the city for many years, most recently as a custodian for the Reading School District for about 25 years before retiring in 2002.

Mr. DiMaria loved to travel. In addition to South America and Italy, he toured Mexico, France, Canada and cities throughout the United States. His true passion, however, was cars.

"That was his life," said his daughter, Vita Angela of Exeter. "We'd be driving around and he could look at a car's taillights and tell you the year, make and model. He was crazy about cars."

Among the many remarkable vehicles Mr. DiMaria owned and drove around Reading were a 1967 aqua Pontiac GTO, a 1970 purple Cadillac Fleetwood, and a 1975 red Pontiac Catalina. Up until he became ill several years ago, he would travel with his daughter and granddaughter to car shows throughout the region, including the last one they attended together on the boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ, several years ago.

While cars were Mr. DiMaria's passion, his truest love was for his family. In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by his granddaughter, Alexis "Lexi" Ganas, also of Exeter, with whom he spent as much time as possible. They spoke daily and cared deeply for one another. Mr. DiMaria also is survived by many beloved in-laws, nephews, nieces and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. in Chapel of St. George at Gethsemane Cemetery, with entombment in the mausoleum. Viewing will be held Wednesday, January 17, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m to 8:30 a.m. in the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.