Joseph V. Soviero Sr.

Joseph V. Soviero Sr.

AGE: 92 • Red Bank

Mr. Soviero, 92, of Red Bank, died Monday, Aug. 20, 2012. He resided most of his life in Little Silver before relocating to Red Bank. He was a retired refrigeration engineer employed by Seaboard Ice & Fuel in Red Bank for over 45 years. His passion for the sport of baseball was his inspiration to form a local youth baseball league back in the early 1950's for 13-15 year olds. He acted as commissioner of that league for 40 years which quickly grew from 4 local teams to now over 70 teams in our local area. The league was named in dedication as the Joe Soviero Bigger League, now known as the Babe Ruth League. He was known to all in the baseball community as "Mr. Baseball". He also enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and the Yankees. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and saw battle in France and Germany. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church.

He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Margaret Soviero; two brothers, Nick Soviero and Vince Soviero; and a sister, Lucy Scalzo. He is survived by four sons and four daughters-in-law, Joseph Jr. and Janet Soviero of Brick, Louis and Cora Soviero of Tempe, AZ, Michael and Lucy Soviero of Plano, TX, and Peter and Debra Soviero of Little Silver; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24 at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25 at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, corner of Bridge Ave. and Chestnut St., Red Bank. Entombment will follow at Holmdel Cemetery Mausoleum, Holmdel.