Pope Francis is the guy between Cora and Dave Fazio

Mama mia! It’s Big Papa!

Cora Fazio, a 1973 Farmington High graduate, and husband Dave Fazio, Class of 1968, walked into this Italian grocery and --  Mama Mia! – there was Pope Francis, the most talked-about person in the world these days.

Contrary to all the reports about Big Papa being warm and human, the Pope seemed rather stiff. As in a cardboard cutout.

Cora runs Fazio ElderCare in Stoneylonesome, which grew from 3 residents in 1995 to close to a score nowadays. Cora has extra qualifications to run a residence for senior citizens: She’s a 1995 Nursing School graduate. Cora’s sister is Cathy Basagic.

Dave is a 1998 Fairmont State graduate.

They celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary this year with a February cruise to Cozumel, Mexico; Belize, Honduras; and Grand Cayman.

Their children are C.J. and Mary Beth and the late Tony Fazio.

Dave’s siblings are Irene Fazio Preolitti, Class of 1966, who lives in Traction Park, Monongah, with husband Mike Preolitti, Class of 1962; Mary Chris Fazio Ramsey, Class of 1969, married to Tom Ramsey and living on Pike Street in Monongah in the home once owned by Helen and Steve Kerekes; and Steve Fazio, Class of 1975, whose wife, Nancy, is deceased.

They are the children of the late Frances and Renzy Fazio, both Class of 1937, who owned Fazio Grocery at the bottom of Jackson Street hill at the Thomas Street intersection.

Frances was the sister of John W. Olesky Sr., who was the father of John Olesky, Jr., Class of 1950, who publishes this Monongah High Alumni blog. Helen was Frances and John’s sister.