HOPEWELL JUNCTION - Giulio DiGiacomo, 92, died peacefully on January 13, 2026 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. He was surrounded by his loving family, with Luciano Pavarotti playing softly in the background.

Born on April 3, 1933 in Cansano, Italy, Giulio was the first child of the late Rocco and Angela (DiPaolo) DiGiacomo. As the eldest sibling, Giulio was naturally responsible and protective of his family, especially younger siblings, Doria and Peter. Particularly during World War II, Giulio's guardianship had no boundaries; his ingenuity and tactfulness under German occupation allowed him to consistently find creative approaches to helping others that were also suffering. After the war, his ambition for education pushed him to teach himself when he could not return to school given family responsibilities. He was driven to learn, share his knowledge, and help others. His devotion to the beauty, culture and people of Cansano remained an unwavering pillar to his character throughout his life.

On February 4, 1954, Giulio married Maria (DiPaolo) DiGiacomo and immigrated to the United States of America, where they lived with family in Brooklyn, New York. While working full time and learning the English language, Giulio attended Brooklyn College at night and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, graduating cum laude in 1963. He continued his education at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, completing his Masters of Science in Physics while working in the Material Science Division of the Naval Applied Science Laboratory (NASL) in Brooklyn. Three years into his PhD Engineering Program, the NASL closed, and Giulio was faced with a decision to either move to Annapolis to lead a new laboratory and complete his degree, or accept an exceptional offer to work for IBM in upstate NY. With the support of his wife, Giulio chose to start his extraordinary career as a Staff Engineer at IBM in 1970. His promotions within IBM came quickly, becoming an Advisory Engineer in 1971, Senior Engineer in 1980, and Senior Technical Staff Member in 1991. Giulio remained with IBM for 33 years, during which time he was a leader, mentor, a colleague, an instructor and an inspiration to many. Throughout his career, Giulio published extensively, and was well respected worldwide for his technical papers and books. He traveled the world presenting his work at conferences, and he happily shared these adventures with Maria, often saying with a smile, "She saw it all!"

While Giulio was proud of his many accomplishments, his greatest love and pride was his family. Maria and Giulio were married for 59 years, and together, they shared the joys of two daughters and five grandchildren, before Maria's passing in 2013. His daughters, Angela and Anna, were raised with his same values of ambition, integrity, strength and determination, and passed these on to their children, a part of his legacy that he was so proud of. Anyone who knew Giulio knew he loved life - he loved singing and dancing; he loved literature and the opera; he loved dining and new adventures; he loved traveling home to Cansano every summer and spending time with friends and relatives; he loved sharing community in Noi Italiani D'Oggi (NIDO) and promoting Italian culture in America; he loved teaching, conversing and debating; he loved learning and endlessly exercising his curiosity; he loved telling jokes and capturing an audience at the table. Giulio's presence - his charisma, smile, and laugh - was grand and simply unforgettable.

After Maria passed, Giulio continued to experience life in the home they built together, just as he wanted. Over the last thirteen years, Giulio came to know new depths of love. He suffered additional deep loss with the passing of his daughter, Angela. He watched his grandchildren grow and shared many precious memories with three of his four great-grandchildren. He celebrated his 90th birthday party, amongst generations of loved ones. As he aged, he was cared for in the comforts of his own home. He lived a life that most cannot dream of and his legacy lives on in everyone that knew him.

Giulio is survived by his daughter, Anna Marie Coffey and her husband, Brendan; his grandchildren, Dr. Kristen Coffey and her husband Dr. Levi Chazen, Dr. Ashley Coffey and her husband Dr. Justin Hall, Alexandra Wtulich, Dr. Rachel Coffey, and Samantha Coffey; his great-grandchildren, Raphael Chazen, Kelly Chazen, Madelyn Hall, and Sophia Hall; his son-in-law, Paul Wtulich; and his sister, Doria Guadagnoli.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Giulio was also predeceased by his brother, Peter DiGiacomo.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 16th from 4 - 8 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, January 17th at 10 am at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction followed by entombment at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Giulio's memory to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Please visit Giulio's Book of Memories atwww.mchoulfuneralhome.com .