John D. Daniello

John Donald Daniello, of Wilmington, Delaware passed away on Monday, January 6, 2025.  Fittingly born on Delaware Day to the late Antonio and Congetta Daniello, he was a lifelong Delawarean who dedicated his many careers to helping the people of our great state.

John attended Archmere Academy and graduated from the University of Delaware in 1957.  From his school days until his final months, John was known to all for the fire in his belly–a weapon he perpetually used to make others’ lives better.

John had an extended career in all levels of politics and government.  He worked for the Delaware Department of Labor.  He was cabinet secretary for the Delaware Department of Community Affairs and Economic Development under Governor Sherman Tribbitt.  He later served as state director for the farm bureau in the U.S. Department of Agriculture under President Jimmy Carter.   In addition, John served for many years as a member and chair of the Industrial Accident Board.

John has been a lifelong Delaware Democrat.  In 1960, he served as the Delaware coordinator for John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign–igniting a passion for politics matched only by his indefatigable personality.  John was elected to New Castle County Levy Court in 1964 and in 1967 he assumed the role of New Castle County Councilman-at-Large.  In 1970, John was the Democratic candidate for Congress running on a platform to oppose the Vietnam War.  He served for years in the local and county Democratic organizations, where he enjoyed his friendships with so many.  In 2005, John was elected as chair of the Delaware Democratic Party and was re-elected in 2009 and 2013.  In 2020, he was proud to serve as one of Delaware’s three electors to the Electoral College for the man he first met on Levy Court decades earlier: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Natalie (Moore) Daniello, his children, Chrys DiRienzo (Nino), Elizabeth Maron (James), Diane Marky (David) and John P. Daniello (Katherine) and his eight grandchildren, Tara, Nicholas, Christopher, Mackenzie, Tyler, Caitlin, Alexandra, Michael and Julie.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 9:30 to 11:00 am at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 7 Sharpley Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charitable or political organization.