Arthur Phillip "Art" DeIorio

Arthur Phillip "Art" DeIorio, age 95, of Biloxi passed peacefully on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Gulfport. Art had a special twinkle in his eye and still so much life in him, even at 95 years old. To know him, truly was to love him. Art was born in Wink, TX, and lived in Oklahoma and Louisiana until he settled in Biloxi with the love of his life, Millie, in 1955. Together, they built a beautiful life and lasting legacy. Art was a self-taught musician with a natural ear for music starting at the age of 14. Though he didn’t know it at the time, he would go on to not only provide for his family with his piano-playing skills, but become a Gulf Coast music legend in his own right. He played many places for many years, but most would come to know him from one of his and his family’s greatest endeavors, The Sugar Mill Restaurant and Lounge in Gulfport, where he infamously entertained for more than 20 years. Despite his diminishing hearing and sight, Art continued to grace others with his undeniable stage presence and musical talents up until weeks prior to his death. In addition to accomplished musician, loving husband, father, and grandfather, one of his proudest titles was U.S. Army Veteran. He honorably served for many years, but most notably as an infantry soldier in WWII. He always took great pride in that and thoroughly enjoyed reliving and sharing his memories. Art was a lover of all people, especially his family. He and his wife, Millie, were completely smitten with one another and married for 68 years until she passed on December 19, 2011. It was a true love story. Many family members preceded him in death: parents, Joe and Loretta DeIorio; wife, Mildred "Millie" (Lanclos) DeIorio; siblings, Tony, Mildred, Raymond, Mary Ann, Margie, and Betty Mae. He is survived by his sister, Judy Vaughan, and his four children: Joseph Anthony “J.A.” DeIorio, III (Elizabeth), Steve DeIorio, Trish Aloi (Rick), and Matthew Pierce. He was “Paw Paw” to many grandchildren: Chad DeIorio (Elisabeth), Brandy Rea (Brian), Phillip DeIorio (Lauren), Brittany Balius (Don), Susan Kulick, Stephanie Wheat (Charles), Nicole Butters (David), Richie Henry, Michael Brown, Michelle Maxwell (Marc), 16 great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild, Selena. Services will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Heritage United Methodist Church in D’Iberville. The DeIorio family invites all who loved Art to share in a public visitation will be from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Services will begin at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at D’Iberville Memorial Park. Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, Biloxi, is honored to serve the DeIorio family.