- Date Of Birth: November 5, 1932
- Date Of Death: May 7, 2015
- State: Maine
Olivo “Dell” V. Delle-Femine
November 5, 1932
May 7, 2015
Olivo “Dell” V. Delle-Femine
Portland, Maine. Olivo “Dell” Delle-Femine 83, formerly of Laconia, NH, died peacefully on
Thursday, May, 7th, 2015, following a period of failing health.
Dell was born November 5, 1932, the son of the late Frank and Ida (Nassi) Delle Femine of East
Providence, RI, and was a 1951 graduate of East Providence High School. He is a veteran of the
United States Air Force and was stationed at the Wheelus Air Base in the Kingdom of Libya,
where he served as an airline mechanic.
With great interest in collective bargaining he began his life’s work building a labor union that
solely represented airline mechanics. In 1961 Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA)
was born. Dell was the first AMFA National Director in 1963 and held that elected position until
his retirement in 2008. An industry leading contract was achieved by the AMFA members at
Northwest Airlines in 2001. By 2003 AMFA represented three of the top five as well as half of
the top 10 major airlines in the United States. Dell’s efforts and sacrifices for aircraft
maintenance technicians are legendary and cement a legacy that continues today.
Dell was well respected in his field and received many awards for industry related achievements.
An award was created in his honor to be presented to people in the association for their
exceptional work in upholding the principles and philosophy of AMFA.
Dell was involved in many political election campaigns during his time living in New York City
and Newport, RI. Dell’s charitable acts include volunteering with Island Hospice in Newport, RI
and most holidays would find him volunteering in the soup kitchen at Emmanuel Church. Dell
was an avid traveler and reader and enjoyed nights out at the opera with a fine Italian dinner
afterward.
Dell was predeceased by his beloved second wife Marie Ann (Sullivan) Delle-Femine in 1996;
along with two sisters, Irene Brightman and Molly Sousa and three brothers Frank, Marco and
Edward Delle Femine. Dell is survived by his first wife Constance Loring and his children
Douglas, Michael, David and Nancy Delle Femine; a granddaughter Emma Strubell; along with
many nieces, nephews; and great nieces and nephews.
The Delle Femine family extends heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff, and nurses at the Barron
Center 2N, Portland, ME, for their loving help. Thanks are also offered to the staff at Beacon
Hospice for their care and kindness.
