John Iorio

IORIO, John Joseph, died February 7, 2007, at his home in Tampa. He was 82 years old and the cause of death was cancer. John was born on New Year' s Day 1925 in Casandrino, Italy, a small city near Naples. His family immigrated to the United States when he was 2 years old, settling in Trenton, N.J. He joined the Army at 17 and was a decorated World War II veteran. As a member of the 17th Airborne Division, his paratroop division jumped across the Rhine River and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After returning from the war, he completed high school where he met his future wife, Dorothy Lockett. Because of the GI Bill, he was able to attend college and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College and his Master of Arts degree from Columbia University in New York. His doctoral studies were at the University of Minnesota and the University of Pennsylvania. He began his teaching career at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., and received a Fulbright Internship to teach at Vassar College in New York before going to Colby College in Waterville, Maine, where he taught for eight years. In 1963, he accepted a teaching position at the newly formed University of South Florida, where he taught in the English department for more than 30 years, becoming a professor emeritus after retirement. John was a published short story writer whose stories appeared in numerous publications including Southern Review, Prairie Schooner, Southwest Review, Texas Quarterly, Colorado Quarterly and the Arizona Quarterly. He received honorable and distinctive mention awards in Martha Foley' s Best American Short Stories on three occasions. He was predeceased by his parents, Josephine and Salvatore Iorio, sister, Antoinette, and brother, Dominick. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy; sons, Jay J. Iorio and Paul L. Iorio; daughter, Pam Iorio; son-in-law, Mark Woodard; and two grandchildren, Caitlin and Graham Woodard. He is also survived by his sisters, Katherine Bartolini, Susie Cirillo and husband, Andrew, Mary Koch and husband, George; brothers, Louis Iorio and wife, Vera, Christopher Iorio and wife, Fran; and many nieces and nephews. John enjoyed a life of many interests teaching, art, cooking, traveling, reading, writing, film, bocce and photography. His knowledge, humor and optimism touched the lives of many students and friends. John would want those whose lives he touched to remember him in their own way and perhaps with a little humor. Visitation will take place 2-5 p.m. Sunday, February 11, 2007, at the University of South Florida Alumni Center. A private internment will take place at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the USF Foundation, John and Dorothy Iorio Award, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC 000, Tampa, FL 33602 or to a charity of your choice. An online guestbook may be signed at www.blountcurry.com