James Spano
September 27, 1932 ~ June 24, 2005
James Spano, 72, of Weirton, died Friday, June 24, 2005, in the Weirton Medical Center after an eight month illness.
He was born on September 27, 1932 in Weirton, a son of the late Louis and Lucille (Tassey) Spano. He was preceded in death by his brother Samuel Spano on June 13, 2005.
James retired from the Tin Mill Department of Weirton Steel. He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church where he served as an usher. James was a member of the Weir High Class of 1951. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the United States Army and a member of the VFW Post 2716. He was an avid bowler and one of the top bowlers in the valley. For many years he was President of St. Paul Bowling League and also bowled for the Weirton Steel Bowling League. He was a member of the Four Seasons Senior Group where he was past vice-president, raffle chairman, bingo chairman and trustee; AARP 3846 where he served as door prize chairman and on the Board of Directors. He also served as a member of the Weirton Medical Center Auxiliary as a volunteer; Sons of Italy where he served as assistant chaplain; member of Weirtonian Lodge No. 183, I.S.D.A.; past member of Weirton Elks Lodge 1801; member of the St. Joseph Holy Name Society and the Weirton Steel 25-Year Club. He previously volunteered as a bingo worker and was a member of the Weirton Knights of Columbus 3734.
James loved being with his wonderful friends, neighbors, and relatives. He loved his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. All the young adults called him “Pap”.
Surviving are his wife of 48 years Mary Rose Veltri Spano of Weirton whom he married on June 22, 1957 at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Weirton; daughter Nancy Coxen and her husband Larry; two grandchildren, Brandon Coxen and Lauren Coxen, all of Weirton; two sisters Joan Contraguerra of Steubenville and Rose Kaminski of Weirton; sister-in-law, Joanne Spano; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Delores and Anthony LaRosa and Gloria and Pat McKenna, all of Weirton. James also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 7-9 PM Sunday and 2-4 and 7-9PM Monday at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton. A Prayer Service will be held 3:30 PM Monday and a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited 7 PM Monday at the funeral home. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated 12:30 PM Tuesday at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church with Father Stephen Dube presiding. Military services will be conducted at St. Paul Cemetery.
Share tributes with his family at www.grecohertnick.com
Funeral Home:
Greco Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV
US 26062
We are all thinking of you and what you have been going through for the past several months. Your strength has been outstanding. We all feel a void that no other neighbor will fill. We will always remember Jimmy, aka, Mr. Spano,Pappy Spano always ready to lend a helping hand and most of all, sitting on the porch giving someone heck or making everyone laugh. If there is anything we can do for you, please let us know. God & Jim will always watch over you. Take care & God bless.
Dear Mary,Nancy,Larry,Brandon,and Lauren, We’re sure going to miss Jimmy and his sense of humor. I’ll never forget the summer of 1978 and our fun trip to Florida!! What a great memory!! Watch over all of us Jimmy!! I’m sure you’re in a happier place now: In heaven, teasing all the angels. We love you!! Love Sherri, Joey, Jennifer and Maria
RIP Pap:'( papi you were my best friend and the love of my life…i’ll never forget dancing on ur feet when i was little…watching lightning storms…sitting on the porch all day waiting for the ice cream man…u were my hero…i never saw someone fight like u did and i am so glad your happy now…our house is just not the same with no lettuce growing and you not there…ill never forget your singing just messing around …your silly little crossword puzzles….and playing cards…and just everything about you…you and i would always watch cartoons in the morning…and make breakfast together…and i used to love when you came to visit…i dont know what im gonna do with out you…I love you so much…Your My Angel…Rest Peacefully…
I’ll never forget you.Always sitting on your front porch asking if we wanted popsicles or making us laugh.You would always sing and call me Raquel.The only good thing that came out of this is that your not suffering anymore.The day they buried you…there was a big thunderstorm and I was remembering how Lauren told me you bowled…and I guess you just couldnt wait to bowl again. *Deepest Sympathy for your family. *Rachel(Raquel)
All I can say is that when Jimmy was around you could always bet on a smile. Not once, ever, did he not get a laugh out of me. When I looked at his picture on this web-site I started crying, but I know Jimmy was frustrated lately and he wanted to go home to the big guy in the sky. The kids loved him-Kasey was watching basketball in the room with him and he was cracking him up. I can always hear him say hey b-a-b-y in his ol Jimmy voice. We all loved him and will truly miss him. We will all cherish the great memories we shared with your dad Nancy! Love to you all. Gina
To the Spano Family, My sincere condolences. I shall always remember my childhood days back in Weirton with the Spano and Greco family holidays, birthday parties, and picnics. Rest peacefully, Jimmy. Peppi Greco Melrose, FL
Mary Rose, you have my heartfelt sympathy and prayers. Jimmy may be gone but will never be forgotten. Just remember all the wonderful years you had together. Take care, be strong and God Bless You always.
papi i miss you so much its been like 4 months and i cant take it i love you so much!…watch over me because i look up to you every day *Your bella*
papi, lets see its been exactly one year and 7 days..todays July 1st. Just think we would be getting everything ready for the big bash after the reunion on the 4th. Bobby is getting married to Rose. Milayna is 1 year old! unreal huh?…Im gonna be a senior in high school..i mean pap come on you were just waking me up for Kindergarten what seems like a week ago…and Brandon got a tattoo, im sue you;ve got a glimpse of that. haha…My mom graduated from college! im so proud and i know you are to. Also, we bought a house in indiana, my dads building it up. i know you can see the progress, so you better make sure it looks good. if it starts to look bad send a tornado off into Antwerp haha..Hmm, im trying to think what else has happened. Nothing else reallllyyy big that you would be interested in…well i mean you know the steelers won the superbowl..your browns, well they did terrible. haha…oh well..i tried recapping the year for ya haha..i think thats all you missed, actualkly im pretty positive!..MEGANS GRAD PARTY IS COMING UP! can you believe it little meganaski!!! graduating!!!.. unreal..rach is gonna be getting her license soon..crazy were all getting old haha…we all miss you. Love you so much. I cannt wait to be with you. i wanna be wiht YOU more then iwanna be here…