Thomas Talerico

WWII veteran was J&L Steel crane operator Thomas Talerico, 79, of Washington, died at 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 10, 2004, in Canonsburg General Hospital following a five-and-a-half-month illness. He was born December 4, 1924, in Marion County, W.Va., a son of Dominick and Grace Ferrise Talerico. Mr. Talerico was a crane operator at J&L Steel in Aliquippa for 35 years. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army 510th Anti-aircraft Artillery as a 50-caliber machine gunner in the Pacific Theater, in the battle of New Guinea and in the Southern Philippines. He received Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with two bronze stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. He was Christian and a member of Alpine Star Lodge. Mr. Talerico enjoyed gardening and raising fantail pigeons. On August 19, 1946, he married Dolores Marie Selvaggi, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Dominick Talerico of Warren, Ohio; a daughter, Deborah Talerico of Washington; two sisters, Marge Yaquinto and Genny Presto, both of Washington; six grandchildren, Gerri Talerico-Korowicki; Tina and Matt Talerico, Ashley Noble, Selena Miles and Tiffany Beddow; three great-grandsons and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are a brother, Frank Talerico; and a sister, Antoinette Adams. TALERICO - Friends of Thomas Talerico of Washington, who died Monday, May 10, 2004, will be received from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 13, with the Rev. Kevin Ryan officiating. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted at graveside by Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175.