Rev. Edward E. Menaldino, Pentecostal preacher

IF YOU HAPPEN to get to the Midwest and flick on a Christian radio station, you might hear the voice of the Rev. Edward E. Menaldino belting out a gospel song.

As an Assembly of God preacher, Menaldino pastored Pentecostal churches throughout the country, and spent 30 years in Philadelphia as pastor of Calvary Temple, in South Philadelphia, and another six years as interim pastor at the Llanerch Hills Chapel, in Upper Darby.

That his songs are still being sung is a testament not only to his powerful voice, but also to the passion of his faith that his voice projected.

Edward Menaldino, who preached throughout the world, especially in Italy, the home country of his parents, an Army Air Corps veteran and devoted family man, died Feb. 26. He was 86 and lived in Springfield, Delaware County.

He was elected pastor of Calvary Temple in November 1966 and served until 1996, when he went to Llanerch Hills Chapel until 2001.

Under his leadership, Calvary Temple, at 20th and Geary streets, added a nursery and kindergarten. As new members arrived, the school became the Calvary Temple Christian Academy and was expanded to include grades one through six. A grade was added in each of the succeeding years. Construction of an annex was completed in 1986 to house administration offices and a future Pentecostal high school.

Menaldino was born in New York City to Battista Menaldino and the former Adeline Didero. He spent most of his childhood in Flushing, N.Y., and attended Flushing High School.

He entered the Army Air Corps as World War II was winding down and trained as a pilot. When the service decided it didn't need any more pilots, he trained in communications. The war ended before he could be deployed overseas.

"He was an incredible character," said his son, Dr. Stephen Menaldino. "He was a guy who never said a bad word about anyone, ever. He was very wise and practical, very smart, but very humble."

As a musician, Edward Menaldino first studied the trumpet and the piano, then began to sing. His records are "Nearing The Shore," "A Time to Weep and a Time to Rejoice," and "Dimension."

After the Air Corps, he entered Central Bible College & Seminary, in Springfield, Mo., earning two degrees, and also studied at the University of Minnesota.

Menaldino wrote extensively for Pentecostal publications and was the principal speaker at major family camps of the Assemblies of God of Canada, as well as several family camps in the U.S.

His ministering included major cities in Northern India, Germany and Poland. As a frequent visitor to Italy, he was the speaker for the national annual conventions of the Assemblies of God of Italy.

He was fluent in Italian and spoke some French.

Menaldino was guest soloist in many churches of various denominations, and was a frequent guest at Youth for Christ in Bismark, N.D.

He married the late Dorothy R. Holmgren in 1948.

Besides his son, he is survived by two daughters, Sharon Menaldino and Rachel Cavicchia, and six grandchildren.

Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Temple. Friends may call at 7 p.m. tomorrow and 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Glenwood Memorial Gardens, Broomall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvary Temple Christian Academy, 3301 S. 20th St., Philadelphia 19145.