Judy Colanero, daughter of Nick and Julia, passes away

Judith Nicola Colanero, Class of 1964, daughter of Nick Colanero and Julia Tasillo Colanero, passed away Friday, February 2.

Her brothers, Robert Colanero, live in Monongah with wife Sherry, and Danny Colanero, live in North Carolina with wife Linda.

Judy Colanero 1964 senior photo

Another brother, Paul Colanero, passed away in Georgia.

Other Colaneros at Monongah High included Paulette Colanero O’Connor, Class of 1966;

Phil Colanero, Jr., Class of 1963, who lives in Morgantown with Betty Hanlin and is Paulette’s brother; and Tom Colanero, Class of 1968, who married Julie Khuri Colanero and also is Paulette’s brother.

Tom played both offense and defense for the Monongah High team that won the 1966 Mason-Dixon football championship. So did Danny Colanero. And Nick Saban, Alabama football coach, who quarterbacked the Lions to the 1968 state title.

Paulette was on Coach Gene Kendzior’s 1960 Monongah girls softball team that won the Marion County title.

Paulette is manager of the Prince William Hospital gift shop in Manassas, Virginia, where she lives with her husband, John O’Connor.

Elizabeth Colanero was the mother of Tom, Paulette and Phil.

Judy Colanero’s obituary:

Judith Nicola Colanero

April 18, 1946 - February 02, 2018

Judith Nicola Colanero, 71, of Fairmont, passed away Friday, February 2, 2018. She was born in Fairmont on April 18, 1946, daughter of the late Nick Colanero and Julia Tasillo Colanero of Monongah.

 

Judy graduated from Monongah High School and was Catholic by faith. Judy suffered from MS. In her last days, she was well loved and cared for by the nurses and aides at the Tygart Center.

 

Judy is survived by her children, Angela Hammond and Mark Offutt of Fairmont, Alicia Straight and Jeff of Greensburg, PA, and Steven Hammond and Jackie of Barrackville; two brothers, Robert Colanero and Sherry of Monongah and Danny Colanero and Linda of North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Jordan Brammer, Kayne Brammer, Hunter Moore, Stephanie Runner, Noah Straight, Angelina Hammond, and Nicholas Hammond; and a great grandchild, Aiden Brammer.

 

In addition to her parents, Judy is preceded in death by her brother, Paul Colanero of Georgia.

 

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2018. The funeral service will be on Saturday at the funeral home at 2:00 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Bike the US for MS 2018 TransAmerica Cyclist Jayce Riley (of Fairmont) at http://www.biketheusforms.org/cyclists/detail.asp?cid=1380

 

Cuba, 56^th country in my travels



Christopher Columbus Cemetery in Havana

Columbus arrived in Cuba from Spain in 1492. I got there with Paula on Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas, my 14^th cruise, to come ashore in Havana. It’s the 56^th country in my travels.

The Spaniards killed off the Guanahatabey, Ciboney, and Taíno inhabitants almost before the Pinta, Nina and Santa Maria had returned to Spain. Fidel Castro, by refusing for four decades to allow new American cars into Cuba for purchase by its citizens, killed off the influx of new cars which led to today’s mobile classic car show – everyday traffic humming around Havana.

Since the cars are up to a half-century old, Cubans had to be creative when parts wore out. The magnificent bodies hide engines that don’t match the originals. John Deere is as likely to keep the car running as GM.

And convertibles are everywhere.

While 60% of Cubans are Catholic, only 5% attend Mass. We saw a mosque for Muslims and went inside the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, one of 11 cathedrals in Cuba, in the center of Old Havana.

We came aboard via Havana Harbor, which is lined with forts built in the 16^th and 18^th centuries. Overlooking the city on a hilltop in suburban Casablace is sculptor Jilma Madera’s 66-feet high, 320-ton marble Christ of Havana statue built in 1958. Fifteen days later, Fidel Castro marched into Havana.

Our onshore tour bused us to four squares and Colon cemetery (as in Cristbal Colon, aka Christopher Columbus). Colon cemetery started in 1876, built atop the original Espada cemetery. Its first occupant was Galician architect Calixto Arellano de Loira y Cardoso, a graduate of Madrid’s Royal Academy of Arts of San Fernando, and who died before his work was completed.

In the former Catholic cemetery was the flag of Cuba, created by Narciso López in 1849 and put together by Emilia Tolón.

Cuba’s capitol, in Havana, built in 1929, is similar the one in Washington, D.C.

Our only cruise stop was in Costa Maya, Mexico, a fishing village that the government turned into a tourist shopping center. The highlight was watching dolphins, walled away from the nearby Caribbean Sea, cavort with children who parents paid for that priviledge.

After centuries of neglectful Spanish rule, the creative Creole class turned Cuba into a major producer of sugar in the 19^th century.

After the USS Maine sank in Havana harbor in 1898 and the Spanish-American War, the United States replaced Spain as the main influence over Cuba.

Tolerating five years of USA military occupation, Cuba became a nation in 1902, with the United States intervening militarily from time to time as late as 1921.



Christ of Havana on hilltop

Closeup of statue

A string of dictatorships, including one by Batista, led to Fidel Castro’s takeover in 1959. Today, about 80% of Cubans earn $200 or less a month and use the equivalent of U.S. food stamps in a rationing procedure.

American Presidents have been trying to deal with a neighbor less than 100 miles away ever since. Americans who cruise to Cuba have to sign a document that pretends they are on an educational visit. Another case of businesses out-smarting politicians.







If you want to see 67 photos of our Cuba trip, click on
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOdRcFjgJWDxcjwoxLbjnBkFYdgA8FD5U6PA8Luqiw117aS97SIcspwGDKmmN1U5g?key=c2hrajhoM3JQS2w0bWpZRllERWFvSnc2eUNmTXdB



 

 

Near Sarasota Feb. 26?

Phone Bill Meredith

For Lions’ reunion

If you will be near Sarasota on Monday, February 26, call Bill Meredith, Class of 1957, so he can put your name at the guard station to permit your entry into his gated community for the annual Monongah High alumni reunion in Florida.

Phone Bill at (941) 342-0030 or (614) 582-0335.

Bob & Barb Arnett, Sandy Cook, Louis Fabian, Gladys Hardway, Lyla Howell, Joe Martin, John Olesky and Paula Tucker, Peggy Orsini and Lloyd Schell usually show up.

Bill’s wife, Roleta, is the chef.

 

This has been going on about a decade.

 

Bill’s latest email:

 

Hello All,

 

Just a note to give a little more detail on our Monongah get together on February 26.  As I mentioned earlier, we will meet at our home, which is located at 3201 Charles MacDonald Drive in Sarasota.  We are in a gated community, so I will need the names of all of those attending to give to the guardhouse. Please send those to me ASAP.

 

We will start at about 11:00 AM, with lots of conversation, food, pictures and more conversation to follow.  We should finish by late afternoon.  Dress is casual, with shorts appropriate if the weather is warm enough.

 

Roleta will provide ham, buns, baked beans and coleslaw.  We will have iced tea and soft drinks available.  If you want something else to drink, please bring it with you.  Some have asked what they can bring.  We have a dessert and salad, so far. We could use another dessert, a cheese and cracker plate and some chips with dip, if anyone else would like to contribute.  Please let me know if you are bringing any of those, so we do not have duplicates.  I know it is difficult to bring a covered dish when you are traveling, so DO NOT feel obligated to bring anything.  We will have plenty to eat.

 

Our home is located about 2-miles east of I-75, Exit 207 (Bee Ridge Road).  If anyone needs directions, please email me and I will provide them. Construction on Bee Ridge Road is now completed and there are three round-a-bouts, so drive carefully.  Many local drivers are not yet used to these "modern" intersections, so watch out for those "Q-tip" drivers.

 

We are looking forward to seeing our old friends and hopefully some new ones.

Stay well and stay safe.  We'll see you in about three weeks.

 

Bill Meredith '57

Leanna, last of 9 Meffe children, passes away

Leanna Meffe, the last survivor of the nine children of Mike and Santa Meffe, passed away Wednesday, January 31.

Leanna Meffe

Her departed siblings were Pasquale, Angelo “Butch” John, Orlando, Anthony, Pasquale “Patsy” Meffe, Italia “Edith” Meffe Gibbles, Anna Meffe and Enis “Agnes” Meffe.

Leanna was a nurse at Fairmont’s hospital for decades. The Commodore family remained among her close friends to the end.

Butch, Class of 1936, married 1942 Fairview High grad Mary Rose Sinisi Meffe. Butch and Jesse Meffe, Johnny Meffe’s father, owned Meffe’s Body Shop on Jackson Street.

Mike Meffe owned the Meffe Service Station.

Margaret Meffe Pellegrin, is Class of 1953. Karen Richards Meffe is Class of 1967. Margaret DePond Meffe is Class of 1945.

 

I was most familiar with Johnny Meffe, who was close to my age. I still remember when he had a handful of hot red pepper flecks and looked like he was about to throw it in my face. I hit his hand from below, the hot stuff flew into his face and Johnny cried in pain. I got the blame for making his eyes burn although I considered it self-defense.

Leanna’s obituary:

Leanna Lorraine Meffe, 89, of Monongah, passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Fairmont Regional Medical Center. She was born in August 14, 1928 in Monongah, daughter of the late Matteo and Santa Ciamarra Meffe.

Leanna was a registered nurse at Fairmont General Hospital. She was a selfless individual who donated to several charities including St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, and the Humane Society. She was a true animal lover and patron of strays.

 

Leanna was involved in many social organizations such as the Catholic Daughters. She was very active in the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah.

 

While she was obtaining her psychiatric Nursing Training in Chicago, she also learned to dance at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. She graduated from St. Mary’s Nursing School in Clarksburg with an RN license.

Leanna is survived by her nieces and nephews, Janice Miller, David Meffe and Patricia of Kingsport, TN, James “Robert” Meffe and Sherri, Elizabeth “Betsy” Smith and James of Cranberry Township, PA, Teresa Hamrick and Brian of Florance, KY, Jennifer Leyh and Thomas, and John Matthew Meffe; great nieces and nephews, Denise (Michael) Roncone, Kevin (Karen) Wood, Janine (Jeff) Watson, Lauren Meffe, Matthew (Emily) McGinnis, Daren Meffe, Lenzy Meffe, Aaron Hamrick, Eli Hamrick, Isaac Hamrick, Christopher Smith, Christian Leyh, Jacob Leyh; several great-great nieces and nephews, Danielle Williams, Cipi (Gene) Greek, Kyle Wood, Jayden Walton, Brooks Brown, and Zachary McGinnis; and compassionate friends, Lisa Joy, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Commodore, Sandra Skormsley, and countless others.

In addition to her parents, Leanna is preceded in death by her brothers, Pasquale, Angelo, Orlando, Anthony, and Pasquale “Patsy” Meffe; three sisters, Italia “Edith” Gibbles, Anna Meffe, and Enis “Agnes” Meffe; and a niece, Tyndara Meffe.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont on Sunday, February 4, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. There will be a vigil service in the funeral home on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will he held at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah at 10:30 a.m. with Father Vincent Joseph celebrating. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Monongah. In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah or the Marion County Humane Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .

 

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.