John J. Fiorillo, 92, of Monessen, died Saturday, February 12, 2011 in Hallsworth House III, Monessen.He was born in Monessen on February 25, 1918, the son of the late John and Assunta (Jannotta) Fiorillo. John was a life long resident of Monessen and a 1937 graduate of Monessen High School. He was a World War II veteran, having served with the U.S. Army 170th Field Artillery Battalion, Americal Division. He received his military training at Ft. Bragg, NC and Ft. Sill, OK before shipping out to Australia. His battalion went to New Caledonia in the Southwest Pacific, and then to Guadalcanal and fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and ribbon bar with star from the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corp.John had worked for the former American Chain and Cable Company in Monessen, and later at the Allenport Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel. He was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord R. C. Church, Knights of Columbus Council #954, Allison Lescanac Post 1190 of the V.F.W., Thomas McKee Post 28 American Legion, Italian-American Heritage Society, B.P.O.E. 773, Eagles Aerie 2399, Italian Society of Mutual Aid, and the Sons of Italy. For years he was a member of the Mon Valley YMCA, where he enjoyed swimming and being with friends.He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Antoinetta (D'Onofrio) Fiorillo, a son, John Joseph "J.J." Fiorillo of Monessen, a daughter and son-in-law, Mary Sue and Anthony Patronella of Houston, TX, three grandchildren, Trey and Rachel Patronella of Houston, TX and Joey Droppa of Elizabeth, a sister, Philomena Fiorillo of Monessen, and by nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother PFC Joseph M. Fiorillo, who was killed in action in the South Pacific during WWII, and by a sister Victoria Fiorillo.Friends will be received on Tuesday Feb. 15, 2011 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm in the Dalfonso-Billick Funeral Home Inc. and Cremation Services, 441 Reed Avenue Monessen, (724-684-8750).Services will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, beginning with a 9:30 am Blessing in the funeral home, followed by a 10:00 am Funeral Mass in Epiphany of Our Lord R. C. Church. Interment will follow in Holy Name Cemetery, Monessen. The following services will be held on Tuesday evening in the funeral home: V.F.W. Post 1190 and American Legion Post 28 at 7:00 pm, Knights of Columbus Council 954 at 7:30 pm. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.
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