John J. Oliverio

John J. Oliverio, 96, of Shinnston, died Sunday (Jan. 31, 2010) at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg.He was born on Jan. 9, 1914, in Viropa, near Shinnston, a son of the late William and Mary Pignanelli Oliverio.Johnny is survived by his sister, Catherine "Kitty" Pulice of Bridgeport. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Josephine Oliverio, Rosa Lee DeFrance, Antoinette Anderson and Irene Belota.Although never married, "Uncle John" gave his time, encouragement and love to his nieces and nephews, Jim Bill DeFrance of Wilmington, N.C., David DeFrance of Bridgeport, John J. Belota of Hagerstown, Md., Mary K. Belota of St. Louis, Mo., Sally Anne Pulice of Annville, Pa., William J. "Billy" Pulice II of Bridgeport, Mary Ellen Anderson of Coral Gables, Fla., and Eugenia "Genie" Anderson of Miami Beach, Fla.Additionally, the children of his nieces and nephews became his "grandchildren."He also enjoyed many visits from his cousins, especially Mary Oliverio Fazalare, Samuel Oliverio of Shinnston and Louie "Bucky" Marra of Clarksburg. John was a lifelong New York Yankees fan and he attended many WVU football and basketball games with his good friend, the late George Rice, and their many trips to the Orange Bowl, in Miami, Fla. Johnny could always count on his good friend, Wilson Currey, for his kindness and time devoted friendship.Johnny was a 1932 graduate of Shinnston High School. Upon graduation, he was employed at the Shinnston Motor Company, a Ford dealership, until he enlisted in the Army in 1941. Johnny went on to serve our country for four years and seven months in the U.S. Army during World War II, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant, until he was honorably discharged in August of 1945. He served three of those years in India, in the Burmese Theater. Upon his discharge, Johnny returned to Shinnston and continued his employment with the Shinnston Motor Company. Under the guidance of George Hall and "Tubby" Hursey, Johnny became general manager until it became Pulice Ford in 1976. At this time, Johnny joined his brother-in-law, Bill Pulice, and nephew, Billy Pulice, and worked daily until his retirement in 1989, accumulating over 50 years in the automobile business.Johnny was a member of the Shinnston American Legion Post No. 31, the Shinnston Moose Lodge No. 929 and the Shinnston Kiwanis Club.Johnny took "ownership" of the Pike Street community and was often seen at Harmer Funeral Home and Lincoln Real Estate. He also enjoyed the fellowship of friends at the Senior Citizen dinners, the Shinnston American Legion, and pasta dinners at St. Ann's Catholic Church. Johnny took pride in his ability to go for long walks about town well into his 90s.Friends will be received at the Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston, from 2-8 p.m. today, where the Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Friends will be received at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Harmer Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Shinnston with the Rev. Karl Wohinc as Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Shinnston Masonic Cemetery.A service of the Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston.