Evio Panichi, 84, Shore developer

Evio A. Panichi, 84, of Media, a developer of residential properties in Ocean City, N.J., died Sunday, Feb. 26, at Riddle Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Panichi grew up in West Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High School. During World War II, he worked for Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone, and afterward was a bricklayer for Consorto & Sons, a builder in West Philadelphia.

In 1952, he married his boss' daughter, Theresa Consorto, and established a masonry contracting business, Brookethorpe Corp., in Broomall.

At 40, Mr. Panichi closed Brookethorpe and began building duplexes in Ocean City. "He carefully thought out plans for every property. No two homes were alike," his daughter, Charlene Moppert, said.

He had such a rapport with his clients, she said, that they became friends and invited him to their parties and weddings.

Mr. Panichi loved walking on the beach and was known for his storytelling skills and fun-loving nature, his daughter said.

He built the Broomall home that he and his wife shared for 50 years, as well as a vacation home in Ocean City.

In 2001, after a massive stroke, he moved with his wife to their daughter's home in Media. Although he was unable to walk or speak, he managed to communicate, Moppert said. Of all the family photos taken over the last decade, she said, "he's smiling in 80 percent of them."

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Panichi is survived by sons David, Mark, and Evio; four brothers; four sisters; and 12 grandchildren. His wife died in 2002.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 1, and from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Friday, March 2, at D'Anjolell Memorial Home, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall. A Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2400 N. Providence Rd., Media. Entombment will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.

Donations may be made to the National Stroke Association, 9707 E. Easter Lane, Centennial, Colo. 80112.