John L. Fazio, 85, US Navy Veteran, Enjoyed Boats, Woodworking and Spending Time with His Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren
John L. Fazio, age 85, of Lorain, passed away on Tuesday January 4,
2011 at Mercy Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. He was
born in Lorain on January 5, 1925 and had been a life-long resident of
the city.
John was a World War II Veteran serving with the United States Navy where he fulfilled duty assignments as a Fireman First Class aboard the USS Luson. John also served on the SS John Sharp Williams, a liberty ship, which were responsible for delivering supplies to the war effort. John often spoke of his experiences on the liberty ship as being the most dangerous time of his service, and one mission in particular as they were pursued by a wolf pack of German subs making their way to Murmansk, Russia carrying critical supplies. John recalled in a previous article, a British Escort ship behind them was torpedoed killing all but 15 of the 150 aboard. He was the recipient of the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, the American Theater Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. John also received two Russian Medals and a letter of commendation expressing their appreciation of the help in their "great
patriotic war."
A parishioner of the Catholic Church of St. Peter in Lorain, he was the proprietor of Fazio's Starlite Studio. Prior to establishing his own business, John was a staff photographer for both the Morning Journal and the Chronicle Telegram. He continued to photograph weddings until he reached the age of 80.
In his free time Mr. Fazio enjoyed boats, woodworking, and selling seasonal flowers in the spring. His greatest joy was being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Anytime they would enter the room John would light up grinning from ear-to-ear; he loved them dearly.
He is survived by his wife Irene (nee Zientarski), by his daughter Debra Hales (Kevin) residing in Vermilion, by his son James Fazio of Lorain, and by five grandchildren, Heather, Jason, Stephen, Brenden and Michele, and 2 great grandchildren, Chace and Layne.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary (nee Marrone),
by a brother Joseph, and by sisters Elizabeth "Dolly" Treadway and
Lucy Mrosek.
Visitation will be Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of memorial
services at Noon in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224
Broadway Avenue, Lorain. The Reverend Craig Hovanec, Pastor of the Catholic Church of St. Peter will officiate. Military honors, conducted by the officers and members of Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 of the Disabled American Veterans, will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to the family.
To share your on-line condolences please visit www.gluvna.net.