Cherry Hill man killed in Iraq recalled at funeral
Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio's mission was successful.
Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio's mission was successful.
On June 23, the Cherry Hill native was working a security detail for his commander, Army Lt. Col. Michael Shrout, when their group was attacked by small-arms fire near Baghdad.
In an e-mail sent from Iraq and recounted at Dalessio's funeral yesterday, Shrout said Dalessio gave his life in the line of duty, crediting him with saving his life.
Hundreds of mourners, including Gov. Corzine, attended the funeral, at which Dalessio was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his actions.
"There are few things left in the world that can't be measured, but Greg's love for his family remains one of them," said his brother Nick Pagano. "We will be eternally grateful for the love Greg gave to his family, his friends and his country."
Dalessio, 30, came from a family of eight children, attended Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, and was raised in St. Peter Celestine Roman Catholic parish, where his Funeral Mass was conducted.
Following his high school graduation in 1996, he attended Seton Hall University through the ROTC program. He had been in the Army for four years. Dalessio was killed during his second tour in Iraq.
Nick Pagano said his brother had asked him to make sure his siblings knew how he felt about them.
"Well, Greg, I guess you forgot - you told us all the time," he said.
Dalessio's brother Dan Pagano read a letter Dalessio wrote during his first tour in Iraq. He wrote about each of his brothers and sisters and his parents, describing their best qualities and how each had touched him.
He called his mother, Maureen, his "favorite person in the world."
"When I become a father, I hope I can be half the parent you have been to us," Dalessio wrote.
Dalessio was the second graduate of Eustace, in Pennsauken, to be killed in Iraq since the war began. Terrance Allen, a 21-year-old Marine corporal, was killed in September.
Dalessio died the same week as another South Jersey Army officer. Army Maj. Dwayne Kelley, a decorated state police trooper born in Willingboro, died on June 24 in a Baghdad bombing at a district council building. Funeral services for Kelley, 48, will be held today.
At the end of Dalessio's funeral, his coffin was brought forward and draped with an American flag. Outside, the Patriot Guard motorcycle riders awaited, holding flags and standing at attention, as the coffin was brought out for the short trip to Colestown Cemetery.
The Army returned to Dalessio's family three personal items, the things he carried into battle - a watch, a rosary and a guardian angel.
Yesterday, Army officers presented the family with Dalessio's dog tags and his decorations.
The Rev. Tom Newton, pastor at St. Peter Celestine, talked about Dalessio's last moments. He said Dalessio's mother was concerned that her son might have died alone.
Newton said he learned that Shrout went to Dalessio after he fell. Newton said Dalessio asked his commander to "tell me that I am loved."
"Greg, I love you," Shrout answered.
