Larry Argiro passes away

Married into Demus family

Larry Argiro, husband of Rose Demus Argiro, Class of 1941, and one-time owner of Country Club Bakery which invented the pepperoni roll, passed away Saturday, March 18.

The marriage brought him into the family of Rose’s siblings Nick Demus, Class of 1945; Nellie Demus Bailey, Class of 1938; Mickey Demus, Class of 1948; and Jim Demus, Class of 1954. That includes a slew of Monongah High athletes, particularly in football.

Mary “Kitty” Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968, who lives on Lyndon Avenue in Monongah,  recalls:



Larry Joseph Argiro

“It was always a joy when Larry came in from Maryland to see his mom and family. He would come to the bakery to help us roll pepperoni rolls.

“I always enjoyed hearing him talk about the earlier days and his life in Maryland. His son also would come help if he was in town. A wonderful family.” 



While the late Joe Argiro, Class of 1948, isn’t listed among the relatives, living or deceased, I suspect that the close friend of Frank Franze, Class of 1950, is tied to this Argiro family in some way.

After all, it was Italian immigrant Giuseppe “Joseph” Argiro who came up with the pepperoni roll and first sold them at the Country Club Bakery in Fairmont in 1927.

Before that, coal miners who came from Italy would take a loaf of bread and a stick of pepperoni into the mines. Joe Argiro just put the two together.

Today, it’s the official food of West Virginia. My sister, Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, who lives in Rivesville, brings me a half-dozen pepperoni rolls to Mountaineer Field when I join her and her daughters at WVU football games.

Larry Argiro’s obituary:

Larry J. Argiro, Sr. 96, formerly of Fairmont, died peacefully Saturday March 18th at his Severna Park, MD home.

He was born November 23, 1920 in the city of Caulonia, Reggio Calabria, Italy, the son of the late Guiseppe and Teresa Santa Croce Argiro.

He immigrated to this country and ultimately Fairmont with his parents when he was four years old.  He often recalled the excitement of seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time and how it impacted those aboard as the ship approached Ellis Island. 

 In 1947 Larry married Rose Demus who became the Love of his life for over 69 years.  Their deep devotion for each other was an inspiration to all who knew them. 

Larry was devoted to his family and is survived by Rose; his son Larry Jr, daughter-in-law Barbara, of Annapolis, MD, sister-in-law Nellie Demus and brothers-in-law Nick Demus, of Worthington WV, Michael Demus, of NY, and Jim Demus, of Shinnston, WV and many cousins, nieces and nephews located in the U.S., Australia, Canada and Italy. 

He was preceded in death by his sister Amelia Fanto and brother, Frank “Cheech” Argiro.  The family previously owned Country Club Bakery, famous for its pepperoni rolls.

Larry graduated from West Virginia University in 1947 with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering.  He served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific as a commissioned officer in the Signal Corps. 

Post WWII he began his career in 1947 with the David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center, Annapolis, Maryland and progressed from entry level engineer to become a member of the Senior Executive Service and Director of the Machinery Research and Development Directorate responsible for developing quiet advanced machinery systems.

Larry was a pioneer in developing machinery acoustic silencing technology for reducing noise from shipboard machinery and controlling environmental and habitability noise on ships.  He and his laboratory team (who he often credited for his achievement) were extremely successful in developing and applying new silencing technologies that allowed the U.S. Navy to enjoy the strategic advantage of having the quietest ships in the world.  The total benefit to the Navy, DOD, and the Nation as a whole are incalculable. 

During his distinguished career which spanned 50 years, he received numerous prestigious awards and accolades for his leadership and engineering accomplishment.  In 1994 his retirement was announced on the U.S. Senate Floor and a Tribute by Senator Sarbanes (MD) acknowledging his achievement became part of the Congressional Record. 

Among his many awards two in particular remained close to his heart; in 1995 he was inducted into the WVU Distinguished Alumni and in 1997 selected as Italian-American Man of the year. 

He is a lifetime member of the Society of Naval Engineers; a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America; a member of the Institute of Noise Control Engineering; and registered Professional Engineer in Maryland.

His intellect matched with his kind and warm spirit will be missed by all who knew him.  

Friends may call at the Ross Funeral home 801 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont on Wednesday from 12-8:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah, with Fr. S.A. Arokiadass as Celebrant . Interment will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery.

A vigil service led by Deacon Lou Belldina will be held Wednesday evening at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Marion County Veterans Council will conduct full military honors at the cemetery.

Flowers may be directed to Ross Funeral Home or in lieu, memorial donations may be made to the WVU Foundation 1 Waterfront Place, Morgantown, WV 26501.

Condolences can be sent to www.rossfh.com .