John J. (Fats) Orecchio, Jr.
February 8, 1935 ~ February 7, 2008
John J. (Fats) Orecchio, Jr., 72, of Weirton, a man who enjoyed making other people laugh, all the way to the end, died Thursday February 7, 2008, in the UPMC Montefiore at Pittsburgh, PA.
Fats was born on February 8, 1935, at Weirton, WV, a son of the late John J. and Mary Rose Perrino Orecchio. He was also preceded in death by his two brothers, Joseph and Tony (Big Fats) Orecchio; his sisters, Mary Rocchio and Minnie Eafrati.
Fats retired after 39 years of service in the Weirton Steel Corporation, where he worked in crane repair. He served his country in the United States Army. He loved to cook and make homemade wine. His true enjoyment was spending time with his family, friends, and especially his two grandsons.
He was a member of Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 688, and the B.P.O.E. 1801.
Fats is survived by his wife, Elaine Smith Orecchio, whom he married on September 12, 1969; his son, Mark, and his daughter, JoiLynn Orecchio both of Weirton, WV; his three sisters, Angie Paolo and Connie Bennett both of Weirton, and Rose Ann Relotto of Steubenville, OH; his two grandsons, Austin Paul Orecchio and Marco Antonio Orecchio.
Visitation will be 6-8 PM Saturday and 1-3 and 6-8 PM Sunday at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, WV where a B.P.O.E. Memorial Service will be held at 7PM Sunday.
Funeral liturgy with Mass will be celebrated 10 AM Monday at the Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weirton.
Interment will follow at the Saint Paul Cemetery, Weirton.
Share tributes and memories with his family at www.grecohertnick.com
Elaine, Joi, & Mark…We were so saddened to hear about Fats passing. He was a such a good friend and we enjoyed so much being with you & your family on Christmas Eve when we could. Now Fats & Frank can continue their “shopping” on Thursday nights. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Art & Becky Hebb
Loved your wine Fats! I’ll miss you.
Elaine, Mark, and Joi, WOW!! What can I say at this sad time. You all know that I loved him. Please know that I love all of you. I know you are a strong family, but this is a terrible time for you. Just know that that my prayers are with all of you. God Bless you and I will remember Fats forever.
Joi – i’m so sory to hear of your father’s passing. you are in my thoughts & prayers love christine
The Baldauf’s are sorry about your great loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time.
Our condolences to all of you during this difficult time. Please know we are thinking of you and praying for your family.
Elaine, Mark, Joi and Austin So, sorry to hear about Fats. We’ll be thinking of you all! Greg and Holly Glaspell
He insisted i call him uncle junior, i loved him so much, i related to him becasue of his loving heart and twisted sense of humor, only thing better than him making me laugh was making him laugh, and he was that way til the end, ill miss you uncle junior
We are so sorry to hear about Fats. You are in our thoughts during this difficult time. He was fun to be around and had a funny sense of humor. We still think about our time in Atlantic City with you both. He will be missed. Love, Scott,Helen,Emily Callaghan Mary Lofland
So sorry to read of the passing of a wonderful human being. He lightened the lives of so many with his quick wit and charm. The family will be in our prayers. Jim and Linda Pauchnik
I feel that he was the last “old school” to go and will be truly missed. Love you Fats!!!
Elaine Mark Joi and Austin, Fat’s taught me how to make wine, shared his fresh basil with me and talked constantly about his grandson Austin. Vince and I will truly miss such a funny and special man. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Love, Vince and Marsha DeCaria
john and I went through 8 grades at st. pauls’s and truly he could make you laugh I enjoyed his company and friendship. he will be missed.
Fat’s was my dearest friend. We worked together at Weirton Steel for many years. Elaine and family, our hearts and prayers go with you.Love,Joe and Nancy Pauchnik
FATS,WAS A FUNLOVING PERSON,AND GENEROUS.HE ENJOYED HIS FAMILY,HE LOVED THEM WHOLEHEARTEDLY. HE BRAGGED ABOUT HIS GRANDSONS,AND CHILDREN.HE LOVED TO PICK PLUMS OFF OUR TREE,AND ALWAYS TOOK BAGS OF BLACKBERRIES HOME.HE HAD GREAT PARTIES AT HIS HOME AND WAS A GOOD HOST.HE TOLD GOOD JOKES,AND MADE US LAUGH.WE WILL MISS YOU DEAR FATS. LOVE TO ELAINE, MARK, JOI,AUSTIN, AND MARCO.FRIENDS,MIKE&JUDY BREUDER
What an honor to have know “Fats” One could never count all the smiles he put on other peoples faces. Jim was so happy to be invited to one of his and Franks shopping sprees that took 5 minutes to shop and hours of pit stops along the way. He was so very proud of his family. Our thoughts are with you at this time and we will never forget Fats. We have so many wonderful and funny memories, we will charish forever
When I think of Fats I can still hear his laugh and how he would grab me as soon as he saw me and offer me a glass of wine. He and the whole family always makes you feel at home. I will miss him!
Fats was a truly generous and wonderful neighbor. I will miss visiting with him at our swingset daily. He always gave Mallory ice cream even when we said “no”. Our kids made several visits to his door. We will truly miss his sense of humor and laughter.
Your dad and husband had a gift to make us laugh and feel good. We always left feeling a bit lighter, a bit more refreshed after visiting. We can see that his legacy will live on for that’s how we feel when we visit with all of you as well. Our hearts and prayers are with you as you grieve his loss. May his memories be a source of joy as you rememer him fondly. May God comfort you during this time of loss, Anthony, Lisa, Nathan and Lindsay Orecchio
Dear Mark, I was so sorry to learn about the loss of your father. I had seen your father’s obituary in the newspaper while at work or I would have come in person to give you my condolences. This is a sad and difficult time for you and your family. Please know you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Melissa (Anderson)Farley, MHS ’88.
Mark, My condolences on the loss of your father. Alex
To the Orecchio family: We were sorry to learn of your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts. You neighbors, Mark and Barbara Trushel
Aunt Elaine, Mark and Joi— I am truly saddened of Uncle Junior’s passing…the only thing I can say is that he is in Heaven with the rest of his family and “The Brotherhood of the Grape”…I will miss him, as will my children…lots of love to all of you…. Cathy
Elaine, Alex and I heard the news while we’ve been away. We’re terribly sorry to hear about Fats. Peggy Fiedorczyk
To My friends Mark & Anthony “Skins” Orecchio and their family, my deepest sympathies for your loss, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.I love you all, sincerely, Brian “Dibs” DiBacco….
JoiLynn, I’m sorry to hear of your father’s passing. May you find comfort in knowing he is enjoying his eternal reward. God Bless You. Tanya
Mark, JoiLynn, and Elaine, I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad & Husband. He always treated me like gold. Our Prayers are with you. God Bless! Dan
Mark: So very sorry to have just found out about your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. Kelly
Hello Mark & Family, We are very sorry to hear about your loss. I feel very honoured & privileged that I had the chance to meet your father in the time we spent together. We are thinking about you and your family and wish you the very best in your time of need. Thinking of you, Craig (CAS) & Lauren Cassar
Hey Mate, My deepest condolences to you and the family, Jimi and Cas both said how cool your Dad was. I will see you soon. All the best Wade
Our deepest condolences to your family. I remember playing with Lea at Aunt Mary’s at Christmas time. Also, all the Marlin Heights picnics. She was always so happy and fun. We are thinking about your family and praying for you in your time of need.
God Bless your entire family.
For my dear cousins~ You have all been in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope that you’ve been able to seek comfort in warm memories. I’ll certainly never forget Fats at all of the Christmas Eve bashes and the many “all night” food fests! He was a one-of-a-kind man and will be truly missed by all those who were blessed to know him. With all my love, Cousin Michelle
Dear Elaine, Mark and Joi, We were very sad to hear about Fats’ death. He loved everyone and he was always making someone laugh. I appreciate how kind he was, and how he always wanted people to feel at home. We will miss him. Hope you are all well, and may God comfort you during this most difficult time. We love you, Mark and Lisa(Orecchio)Hulburd
Dear Elaine, Mark and Joi, We were so sorry to hear about Fats’ death. He was such a kind, fun-loving person, and always wanted to make people feel at home. He will be truly missed. We love you all. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Mark and Lisa(Orecchio)Hulburd