Obituaries

Joseph Tarantino, 97 of Clarksburg passed away peacefully Sunday, December 4, 2016 at his home with his family by his side.

Born on February 12, 1919 in Clarksburg, the son of the late James Vincenzio and Mary Ulimo Tarantino, Joseph was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Mr. Tarantino is survived by his wife of 70 years, Nola Oliverio Tarantino. They were married June 15, 1946 by the Rev. John O’Reilly at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Clarksburg.  He is also survived by his six children:  Mary Jo (Frank) Roman, Victoria Tarantino, Monica (Richard) Adams, Nola (James) Gaston, Joseph James (Jill) Tarantino and Rebecca (David) D’Annunzio.  His grandchildren and great grandchildren include:  Domenica (James) Mastroianni, Lucia and Vincenzio; Mario Roman and Carl Grauer; Nathaniel (Heather) Tarantino, Andrew and Anamarie; Benjamin Tarantino; Brendan (Jessica) Adams, Gianna and Anthony; Alyssa (Samuel) D’Annunzio, Nicolina, Samuel and Vincent; Patrick Gaston; Bernadette (Jeffrey) Futrell; Joseph J. Tarantino, II; Anna (Justin) Ellis; and Adam Tarantino.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Rosario Tarantino Angotti and Rose Tarantino Giacobino and his brothers Tony Tarantino and John Tarantino.

During his senior year in high school, Joseph was employed at the Adamston Flat Glass Division of Fourco Glass Co. He worked at night and went to school during the day.

He joined the Marine Corps in 1941 and after leaving Paris Island, Joseph went to San Diego and then on to American Samoa for training. He joined the 1st Marine Division in Australia.  The division served in New Guinea, Cape Gloucester, Peleliu and Okinawa.   In 1945, Joseph returned to the states and continued to work at the Adamston Flat Glass Company and retired with 41years of service.

Mr. Tarantino was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was the last surviving charter member of the Adamston Lions Club and served as president twice during his 59 years of membership.  He received the highest honor as a Lion member, the Leonard Jarrett Award for service.  He was also a lifetime member of the VFW.  He sold tickets for football and basketball games at Liberty High School for 40 years.  Mr. Tarantino also served as an election poll worker for 15 years and head commissioner for the precinct for 8 years.

Joseph and his brother John owned Tarantinos’ Dairy King for 40 years and created the original recipe for raspberry ice cream. They also owned a laundromat and dry cleaners.

As members of WVU Mountaineer Athletic Club, he and his wife had WVU football season tickets for a period of 45 years.

The family would like to thank US Nursing Network, Amedisys, and Central WV Aging agencies for his care as well as his special nurse Meagan Golden.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to Immaculate Conception Church “Forward in Faith Campaign”, 150 South Maple Avenue, Clarksburg, WV and the Adamston Lions Club Student Scholarship Fund for Liberty High School, c/o 403 Emerson Road, Clarksburg, WV 26301.

Prayer service will be at 4 p.m. Friday, December 9, 2016 at Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort, with visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 pm following the service. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Father Casey Mahone as Celebrant.  Entombment will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery where full military graveside Rites will be accorded.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com.  A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.