John Joseph Focazio

John Joseph Focazio

• John Joseph Focazio was born on 28 March 1886 in Proselene, Italy.
• He married Magdalene C. Sporer, daughter of Joseph Sporer and Christina Grassly, on 2 March 1916 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, by license issued on the 1st, with Rev. Roche officiating.. Other witness was William F. Focazio.. The marriage was witnessed by Gertrude C. Sporer.
• John Joseph Focazio registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Niagara County, New York, while living with his wife Lena at 1303 Whitney Avenue in Niagara Falls, and employed there as chief record clerk by Hooker Electric Chemical Company.
• John Joseph Focazio and Magdalene C. Sporer appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 31?1 Whitney Avenue renters in the household of John's parents Joseph and Philomena Focazio.. Other members of the household included Anna D. Sporer. Also in the household were children Paula (age 2-9/12) and Joan (4/12).
• He was employed as a clerk at a chemical plant, according to the 1920 census.
• John Joseph Focazio became a widower at the 31 December 1971 death of his wife Magdalene C. Sporer.
• John Joseph Focazio died on 6 October 1972 at age 86 in Niagara Falls, New York.
• The following appeared on 7 October 1972 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: (Niagara Falls) John J. Focazio, 86, of 1347 Ontario Ave was pronounced dead on arrival at Mount St. Mary's Hospital, Lewiston, after an apparent heart attack at home on Friday (Oct. 6, 1972).
       Mr. Focazio was born in Proselene, Italy, and lived in Niagara Falls for the past 82 years. He owned and operated Focazio's Bowling Alley for 25 years. He later managed the Central Bowling Lanes for 10 years and the Ideal Bowling Lanes for 15 years.
       He was past president of the New York State Bowling Proprietors Association, a past member of the executive board of the National Bowling Proprietors Association, a 1902 member of the former Stars and Stripes Baseball team and of B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 346.
       He was the widower of Magdalen Sporer Focazio, who died in December 1971. He is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Paula Shivery of this city, Mrs. Ernest (Joan) Palmeri of Wayne, N.J., Mrs. John (Gertrude) Fitzpatrick, Mrs Edwin (Virginia) Forster, and Mrs. Howard (Dolores) Freeman, all of this city; one brother, William Focazio of this city; two sisters, Mrs. Lloyd (Virginia) White of Hollywood, Fla., and Mrs. Louis (Madeline) Pacella of this city; 35 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
       Funeral services will be held Monday at 8:45 a.m. at the Otto Redanz Funeral Home, and 9:15 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church.
       Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
       The family will be present today from 7 to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

• Last Edited: 12 Jul 2013