Carmen Della Polla, from Ridley Township, PA, passed away quietly and peacefully with his loving family around him on October 31. He was 86.

And while Carmen's passing was quite peaceful, his life was nothing but. A big man with an even bigger heart, he was a wonderfully generous individual who gave back to others in so many ways. He was an entrepreneur, business owner, and in his own way, a local philanthropist in the Ridley community. He would lend a helping hand to many that were down on their luck, looking for nothing in return. When asked why, he would say "they just need a little help to get back on their feet." A person who always saw the good in everyone, Carmen felt it was important to give back to those who needed it most – very quietly without fanfare, praise or acknowledgement.

Carmen was born in Southwest Philadelphia of immigrant Italian parents who were self-made entrepreneurs. Both parents bought and ran their own bar and restaurant businesses, one of which was passed on to Carmen and his brothers – The Belvedere – a local Collingdale bar. This started a legacy of restaurant and bar ownership within the Della Polla family that has lasted over decades in Delaware County. Della Polla's Tavern of Milmont Park, Julie's of Glenolden, The Belvedere of Collingdale, and the Brew House in Havertown, were all owned by Della Polla siblings. Carmen stayed very close with all his siblings throughout his years -- providing advice, guidance, support and companionship in his own quiet way.

Carmen bought Della Polla's Tavern in 1983 and owned this bar and restaurant for over 38 years. His great passion over the years was to spend time at his bar. You could find him drinking homemade wine, smoking a cigar and watching football games. It also wasn't unusual for Carmen to drive people home when they had too much to drink. Through the years he probably did this hundreds of times. He also employed many Ridley township patrons at Della Polla's along the way. If he liked you, Carmen was fiercely loyal to you. And throughout his 40- year career working at Boeing, he helped many find jobs at his employer, and gave them the start to begin their own careers.

If he wasn't at the bar, Carmen could be found playing cards with his friends, or cooking spaghetti and clams or eggplant parmesan for his family at home. An avid Frank Sinatra fan, he was known to break out in song and loved to dance to "ole blue eyes." If you got to experience this, it truly made you smile for the rest of the day.

He was predeceased by his parents; Amato "Michael" and Anna Mauro Della Polla; his wife Elizabeth J. Fuhs Della Polla; his son Michael J. Della Polla who died in 2012, longtime special companion Carole Ann Reagan-Wareikis; his siblings Michael Della Polla, William Della Polla, Lucy Kelly, Angelina Caserta and Julie Mayer.

Carmen leaves behind an incredible legacy of family and friends. He was a loving father to eight children, and an incredible grandfather and great grandfather.

He will be truly missed within the Delco community.

His legacy includes: his children, Ann Brittingham (Paul), Elizabeth Della Polla (Dan Grady), June Ibbetson (Ed), Dawn Masterson (Dan Hopson), Carmen Della Polla (Chrissy), Jamie Della Polla and Nickelous Della Polla; his sister Elanor Russell; his special friend Mary Totino; nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral Mass 10:00AM Thursday, November 4, 2021 at Our Lady of Peace R.C. Church, 208 Milmont Ave., Milmont Park, PA

Visitation 6:30 -8:30PM Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at the White-Luttrell Funeral Home, 311 N. Swarthmore Ave, Ridley Park and 8:45 -9:45AM Thursday at the Church.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Kidney Foundation, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852 or the American Cancer Society 1818 Market St., Suite 2820 Philadelphia, PA 19103