Gathered inside the Mount Carmel Cemetery chapel where Frank Dileo was laid to rest Wednesday, friends and family stood in silence for a benediction, followed by a final song.
It began with a familiar acoustic guitar intro and the words “Almost heaven, West Virginia …”
Of the dozens of photographs, there was only one or two of him with his superstar friend and client. Conducting the service, his cousin, the Rev. John Micelli from Cleveland, described Mr. Dileo as “a big life in a small package.”
The Michael Jackson estate was not represented, but Ms. Dileo says they sent a spread of flowers, along with issuing a statement that Mr. Dileo was “beloved” and “one of a kind.”
There was a small contingent of New York business associates present, including Larry Stessel, onetime senior vice president and general manager of EMI Records.
MJSTAR: We just want to thank the Michael Jackson Estate for making it possible to meet such a charming individual, and obviously an important figure in the life of Michael Jackson. You will be sadly missed.
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