I-79 Star City interchange named for Mike Oliverio

The I-79 Star City interchange has been named for Mike Oliverio, Sr., Class of 1954. He passed away Feb. 5. He was Monongalia County Clerk for a decade.

Michael Oliverio II, Class of 1954, Mike, Sr.’s son, in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006 was elected to the 13th Senatorial District of the West Virginia. In 2010 he defeated 14-term incumbent Alan Mollohan for West Virginia's 1st congressional district seat  in the Democratic primary, but lost in the general election to Republican David McKinney.

Mike, Sr.’s brother was Frank Oliverio, Class of 1944.

Other Oliverios at Monongah High included:

Barbara Oliverio-Courey, Class of 1976.

John Oliverio, Class of 1974.

Nathaleen Cameon Oliverio, Class of 1948.

The story about the interchange naming:

I-79 Star City Interchange Officially Named After Michael A. Oliverio, Sr.

By Zack Veltri, WBOY-TV Web Producer

The Star City Interchange at Exit 155 on Interstate 79 has officially been named the “Michael A. Oliverio, Sr. Interchange", according to a press release from Senator Robert Beach.

Oliverio, a Fairmont State and West Virginia University graduate, was well-known for all his help with other West Virginians and his continuous effort to better the state.

“I am happy that we were able to make this happen,” says Beach. “Mr. Oliverio was a kind gentleman who dedicated his life to the betterment of the global community, receiving over forty exceptional honors and achievements. Knowing Mr. Oliverio added quality to my life.”

Oliverio worked as County Clerk for Monongalia County and was very instrumental in building up relationships with West Virginia the Calabria region of Italy. He was also a recognized counselor, statesman, and educator.

“Monongalia County is a better place thanks to the work of Michael Oliverio, Sr.,” says Delegate Anthony Barill (D-Monongalia). “He is responsible for many great projects, including the Ronald McDonald House, and will be most remembered for his work in the fields of rehabilitation and counseling. He was a great man.”

Michael Oliverio’s obituary that appeared in February:

Michael Angelo Oliverio, 77, of Morgantown, passed away at home, surrounded by all of his family, on Wednesday (Feb. 5, 2014).
Mike was born May 10, 1936, in Carolina, a son of the late Giuseppe Oliverio and Maria Mancina Oliverio.

He graduated from Monongah High School, Fairmont State College and West Virginia University with additional post-graduate work at the University of Virginia, College of St. Thomas, Minnesota and George Washington University.

From humble beginnings as the son of an immigrant shepherd, Mike served as a counselor, statesman, educator and civic leader, and dedicated his professional and personal life to the betterment of the global community with tireless effort. He served for more than 10 years as the Monongalia County clerk until his retirement.

Exceptional honors and achievements included serving as national president of the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association and also president of the National Rehabilitation Association International Advocacy Group for Persons with Disabilities. In those organizations, he initiated and developed a process to certify all rehabilitation counselors nationally, as well as starting an accreditation process to accredit all graduate programs of vocational rehabilitation. In this capacity, he met with the U.S. Congress and Presidents Carter and Ford to promote laws for persons with disabilities.

Mike was very involved with the American Heart Association and served on many levels, reaching the highest rank of vice chairman of the national board, serving millions of members.

Mike served the local community with exceptional passion and vision and is the recipient of many achievements and awards, but there are some achievements he is especially proud of. He helped start the Kennedy Correctional Center and was a founder of the Ronald McDonald House, as well as serving as chairman of the Community Advisory Committee. He is credited for bringing the Health South Rehab Center, in addition to coordinating the building of five sheltered workshops in North Central West Virginia and several Goodwill stores. He designed and facilitated the building of a memorial honoring fathers and JFK in Star City called “A Father’s Love.”

Mike has served as chairman of the Fairmont State University Board of Advisors, the Klingberg Development Center Advisory Committee, North Central West Virginia Goodwill Board, West Virginia Heart Association, People Aware of Children Exceptional (PACE), West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, just to name a few.

Mike not only served the community locally, but internationally as well, and was given the International Award for Achievement and Humanity in Rome, Italy. He also is responsible for making West Virginia and Calabria, Italy, sister states and conducting the twinning process joining Clarksburg and San Giovanni in Fiori, Italy; he initiated an exchange program with students from the University of Calabria and Fairmont State University.

Many awards have been bestowed upon Mike, and he is most proud of the National Nathan Hale Award for Patriotism and the F. Ray Power Award for Administration State Director Internationally.

Mike was able to accomplish many things in his life, and he attributes much of his success to his lovely late wife Julia for her constant support and companionship. Together they are survived by three sons and spouses, Joseph and Paula Oliverio of Belmont, and Michael and Melissa Oliverio and Frank and Amy Oliverio, and one daughter, Mary Oliverio Brown, all of Morgantown; eight grandchildren, Alyssa Oliverio, Christina and Maria Brown, Michael and Maggie Oliverio, and Julia, Josef and Beatrice Oliverio; siblings, John and Barbara Oliverio; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and spouse, he was preceded in death by one brother, Frank A. Oliverio; and sister, Mary Rose Oliverio.

Friends and family will be received at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church Peace Hall in Star City from 2-8 p.m. Friday and from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Star City. A prayer vigil will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Peace Hall. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Father John V. DiBacco and the Rev. Father John Rice as co-celebrants. Entombment will follow at St. Mary’s Peace Garden Mausoleum with military service.

Rotruck-Lobb Funeral Home-Mancinelli Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. A special thank you to the Hospice Care Corp.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Michael’s memory to the “Michael A. Oliverio Rehabilitation Counseling Student Development Fund” c/o WVU Foundation No. 2V874, WVU, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507; or the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church Building Fund in c/o Rev. Father John DiBacco, St. Mary’s Parish, 3334 B University Ave., Star City, WV 26505.

Personal condolences may be offered to the family online at www.rotruck-lobb.com .