Jerry Loss’ cousin passes away

Ralph Michael Wells, cousin of Jerry Loss, Class of 1956, passed away Saturday, January  27.

Ralphs parents were William Ralph and Virginia Loss Wells. Virginia’s brother was Frank Loss, who had a farm in Mill Fall. Frank was the father of Jerry, who lives in North Olmsted, Ohio, and was married to Gezala Futten Loss, sister of Lena Futten Olesky, my mother.

Ralph Michael Wells

Jerry’s brother was the late Robert Loss.

Ralph’s obituary:

Ralph Michael Wells, 95, of Fairmont passed away Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Fairmont Regional Medical Center. He was born on July 24, 1922 in Fairmont son of the late William Ralph and Virginia Loss Wells.

Mike was a flight engineer in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. He then went on to own and operate the family business, Wells Florist for over 50 years. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, and the Moose Lodge and Fairmont Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. 294.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law David and Donna Wells and his daughter and son-in-law Debbie and Ronnie Hoy all of Fairmont.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Renea and husband Scott Carl of Georgia, David I. Wells of Morgantown and Joshua Wells of Fairmont, great granddaughters Amanda and husband Kevin Lites, and Roni Lynn Carl, and his great-great grandsons, Hunter and Trevor Lites all of Georgia. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his loving wife of 75 years Mary Lou Duff Wells on September 22, 2017, three sisters Bernadine Wells Berdine, Rita Wells Jurich, and Jeanette Wells and one brother Harold Wells.

Mike will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.

In keeping with his wishes, Mike has chosen cremation and a private burial will be made at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Pruntytown.

Arrangements are under the care of Ross Funeral Home 801 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont.

Condolences may be sent to www.rossfh.com.

February 26 Lions reunion in Florida

The annual Monongah High Alumni reunion in Florida will be 11 a.m. Monday, February 26 at the home of Bill Meredith, Class of 1957, and wife Roleta in Sarasota.

This has been going on for a half-dozen years or so.

If you want to join the fun, call Bill at (941) 342-0030 or (614) 582-0335.

Bill’s email:

Hello From Sunny Sarasota:

I have scheduled the annual get together for Monongah H S alumni who live or winter in Florida for Monday, February 26, 2018.  We will meet at our home in Sarasota at 11:00 AM for talk, lunch, pictures and more talk.  We usually break-up late in the afternoon.

 

Be sure to save the date.  More details will follow.  Below are the alumni I have notified.  If you know of anyone else who could be in the area at that time and might be interested in attending, please let me know.

 

Roleta has again agreed to provide the food and drinks.  We look forward to seeing everyone.

 

Bill Meredith

 

Alumni List:

Bob & Barb Arnett, Sandy Cook, Louis Fabian, Gladys Hardway, Lyla Howell, Joe Martin, John Olesky, Peggy Orsini and Lloyd Schell

Christmas lighting tab

The electric bill for the 21 Monongah Christmas street lights was $436.93. Susan Staron Sanders’ Charge of the Lights Brigade committee paid the bill so that the town doesn’t get stuck with it.

That’s about $100 to $150 less than the cost of one of the lights.

 

Virginia Ginger Larry Zaccagnini passes away

Virginia “Ginger” Larry Zaccagnini, sister of my late Class of 1950 classmate, Agnes Larry DiLaura, passed away Saturday, January 20.

Their parents were Tony Larry, Sr. and Rose Levato Larry.

Virginia “Ginger” Larry Zaccagnini

Other siblings are Connie Larry Johnson of Arizona, Lena Larry Michelozzi of Virginia, Gloria Larry Boehm of Pennsylvana, Class of 1944, and the late Tony Larry.

Ginger’s obituary:

Virginia Louise “Ginger” Larry Zaccagnini, 90, of Fairmont passed away Saturday January 20, 2018 at John Manchin, Sr. Assisted Living Center in Farmington, WV.  She was born in Shinnston, WV on July 1, 1927, daughter of the late Tony, Sr. and Rose (Levato) Larry (Loria) from San Giovanni in Fiori, Italy.  Ginger apparently died of a broken heart after losing her partner on Jan. 9, 2018.

Ginger graduated from Monongah High School and moved to Detroit, MI for a brief time.  She worked for the government before returning to Fairmont. 

Upon her return, she met her husband of 70 yrs., Rudy, at a dance.  They married shortly afterwards and she went to work with his parents in “The Log Cabin Inn” in Rivesville cooking spaghetti and meatballs.   Soon after, they opened the “Stardust Night Club” in Rivesville where they began their ballroom dancing career. 

Ginger co-owned “Ginger’s Apparel” with her husband for 34 years.  She outfitted many young women in prom and wedding gowns in Fairmont and surrounding areas.  She took pride in her work and gave each customer her personal attention to detail.

Outside of work, she was an enthusiastic mother, homemaker & cook.  Both immediate and extended family were very important to her.  She made a point of keeping in touch with her brother, sisters, aunts, uncles, & cousins attending many reunions.  Ginger enjoyed gardening both flowers and vegetables.  She canned her summer produce and prepared many a family meal with it.  She enjoyed entertaining at her home with homemade goodies for neighbors & friends.  

Ginger continued to dance with Rudy regularly for 70 years, where they were known by many; and now the dance goes on.

Ginger is survived by her three children, Rudolph Zaccagnini, Jr. and fiancé Sandra, Larry Zaccagnini and wife Sharon, and Giacinta “Cindie” Sabaugh and husband Gary; three grandchildren, Cara Cervo, Christa Zuspan, and Asher Zaccagnini; sisters, Connie Johnston of AZ, Lena Michelozzi of VA, and Gloria Boehm of PA; Sister-In-Law Emily Larry of CA, Aunt Lou Spina of AZ and many cousins, nieces, & nephews from the west coast to the east coast. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rudy; a sister Jean Larry DiLaura, and a brother Tony Larry. 

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Ave., Fairmont, Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., a vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the Immaculate Conception Church in Fairmont with Father Jojan Joseph as celebrant.  Interment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery in Shinnston. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a contribution to a charity of your choice. Online Condolences may be sent to the Family at www.domicofh.com

 

 

LaVerne Mascara passes away

LaVerne Mascara, widow of Frank C. Mascara and predeceased by siblings Barb and Harlan, passed away Sunday, January 21.

Her parents were the late Edward Porter and Maude Poling McKenzie.

Her children are Debbie Light of Greensboro, North Carolina, Patsy Mascara and wife Kim of Everson, John Mascara of Monongah and Tina Mascara of California.

 

Johnny Mascara, Class of 1941, is famous for  accidentally backing over Wheelbarrow Willie’s wheelbarrow and rushing to Fairmont for a replacement – but had to settle for a wagon.

LaVerne’s obituary:

LaVerne Mascara, 83, of Monongah passed away Sunday January 21, 2018 at Mon General Hospital in Morgantown. She was born in Morgantown on September 19, 1934 daughter of the late Edward Porter and Maude Poling McKenzie.

LaVerne was a devoted member of the Monongah Baptist Church.

She is survived by her children Debbie Light and husband Brad and dog Tucker of Greensboro, North Carolina, Patsy Mascara and wife Kim of Everson, John Mascara of Monongah and Tina Mascara and husband Guido Santi of California. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great grandchildren Amber and husband Randy Fitts and their children Landon and Lucas Fitts, Allison Light, Anthoney, Brianna and Dominick Mascara.

In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Frank C. Mascara on August 4, 2002, one sister Barb and one brother Harlan.

In keeping with the LaVerne’s wishes, there will be no viewing. A private graveside service will be held with Pastor David Huckins officiating.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Home Health Care and the Doctors, nurses and staff at Mon General Hospital.

Arrangements are under the care of Ross Funeral Home 801 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rossfh.com .

Nick Demus passes away

Nick Demus, Class of 1945, who operated the Demus Market in Worthington till it closed in 2012 after a 55-year run, passed away Monday, January 15.

Nick Demus

His parents were Nick Demus, Sr. and Theresa Elizabeth Cavallo Demus.

Demus and Monongah High had a long relationship.

There was Rose Demus, Class of 1939; Joan Demus, Class of 1941;  Rose Demus Argiro, Class of 1941, who married Larry Argiro; Michael “Mickey” Demus, Class of 1948; Theresa Demus, Class of 1950; Jim Demus, Class of 1954; Ramona Rose Demus, Class of 1971, and Nick Demus III, Class of 1973.

Nick, Jim and Mickey all played football for Monongah High.

Nick’s obituary:

 

Nick Demus, Jr 90, a lifelong resident of Worthington, WV passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning at his home on Monday January 15, 2018.

He was born in Worthington on March 7, 1927, son of the late Nick Demus, Sr. and Theresa Elizabeth (Cavallo) Demus of Worthington, WV.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Merelyn (Sparacino) Demus; five children, Nick Demus, III, Fairmont his children, Nick Demus IV and wife Shannon, Lauren Demus and her child Breauna, and Alyssa Demus; Deneen Demus Russell, and husband Thomas Russell, Fairfax, VA and their children Delaney R. Russell and Thomas S. Russell; Joseph D. Demus and wife Nanette, Mt. Clare, and their children Dominique Demus and Ricky Malfregot; Marie Birdsell and her longtime companion Steve Schartiger, Fairmont, and her daughter Jordan Birdsell; and Angelica N. Demus, Morgantown; his sisters, Nellie Demus; Rose Argiro (and late husband Larry Argiro); his brothers, James Demus and his wife, Erma; and Michael Demus.

In addition to his parents, Nick was preceded in death by two of his children, Albert Demus and Ramona Demus; three sisters, Joan Demus, Theresa Demus, and Madelaine (Demus) Schram and one brother Larry Demus.
Nick and his wife Merelyn enjoyed all their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His most favorite time was when all of his family was together and enjoying each other’s company.

Nick was a longtime business owner of Demus Market and Demus Italian Specialty Foods. He and his sister Nellie were in business for close to 55 years. Nick enjoyed all aspects of the business and there wasn’t a day that he didn’t go without feeding a customer a wonderful Italian sausage sandwich, for which he was so famous, or letting anyone walk out hungry.
In 1946 after WWII, he was part of the Army Pack Mule Team in Japan. In addition, throughout his life one of his passions was baseball. Not only did he play the sport in the minor leagues in Mississippi, Arkansas, and New York, he truly enjoyed the coaching of his players during his American Legion baseball days.

Friends will be received at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Monongah on Thursday from 2-8 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 AM Friday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Monongah, WV on January 19, 2018 with Father Vincent, as celebrant. Interment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery. Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.harmerfuneralhome.com .

A service of the Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston.

Birthday girl Amelia Shenasky Zentz, 98, with Bertha Wilson and Kitty Morrison

Birthday 98 for Amelia

Amelia Shenasky Zentz celebrated her 98^th birthday today with Susan Staron Sanders, Mary Ahouse “Kitty” Morrison and caretake Bertha Wilson.

Susan wrote:

“We had cake, laughed and listen to Ameilia’s amazing stories, which I love.”

Amelia lives on Shenasky Lane, named for her parents Pete and Nell who ran P.P. Shenasky Grocery on Camden Avenue (U.S. 19) adjacent to where Thoburn School used to be.

Amellia helped her parents run the grocery store for years. Later, Amelia and her late husband, Bruce Zentz, built the Dairy Kone in 1968, on U.S. 19 near the Pike Street intersection.