Dominic "Sonny" Joseph Avolia

Dominic Joseph “Sonny” Avolia, 81, of Hickory, died Saturday, April 8, 2017, in the Washington Hospital, following a ten-year illness.   He was born March 19, 1936, in Washington, a son of the late January “J.A.” Avolia and Anna Marie Alterio Avolia.   Mr. Avolia graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1954, and was a member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church.   He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served in Panama during the Bay of Pigs.   Mr. Avolia worked at William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., where he was vice president of the corporation and a funeral attendant for 45 years.  In addition, he served as a deputy coroner under the late Farrell Jackson and was an autopsy assistant to the late Dr. Ernest Abernathy.   He was a supporter of 4H and for many years was supervisor of the Swine Barns at the Washington County Agricultural Fair.   Mr. Avolia was a member of American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175, Canonsburg Sportsmen’s Club and Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department.  As a volunteer for the fire department, he was actively involved in the Hickory Apple Festival, where he helped cook the pork and beef sandwiches for many years.   He loved golfing, hunting, fishing and all sports.   On April 28, 1962, he married Dixie Lee Ullom, who survives.   Also surviving are two sons, Sam Avolia and Joe (Hilary) Avolia; four grandchildren, Joseph M. Avolia, Sam “Diesel” (Karae) Avolia, Tyler Dominic Avolia and Grace Coffield; five great-grandchildren, Irelynd, Dakohta, Emmah, Kamden and Owen; a sister, Sara Robison; and a brother, James Avolia.   Friends will be received on Saturday from 2 till 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Monday, April 17th, in Immaculate Conception Church.  Burial will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 and active duty Army personnel.