Godspeed, Anthony Joseph Oliverio, Navy Veteran of WWII

A Beloved World War II Navy Veteran Passes Peacefully

David J. Drakulich Foundation is honored and humbled to share this talented and wonderful community member's obituary.  His family invites you to contribute to DJD Foundation's Veterans Art Project in Tony's memory. Nettie Crowder Oliverio, Tony's wife of 43 years explained that Anthony Joseph Oliverio was a talented performer. and visual artist. His final days were passed comfortably at VA Sierra Nevada Health Care.

"His personality made our staff shine!” “He was my compadre” “My Paisan is having a nice glass of red wine right now in a better place.” Thoughts from friends. Dementia set the stage and Covid-19 was the chariot to take Tony to that better place. Anthony Joseph Oliverio exited July 7. 2020. For all who knew him he was bigger than life, greeting all with a dazzling smile and a hearty hug. At 94, he’d seen combat with the Navy in WWII at D-Day, sung with the Ames Brothers as he subbed for Ed Ames in performance and for 3000 of his fellow soldiers & sailors in a USO show, co-founded the national industrial chemical company Share Corp and served as its Senior VP until his retirement in 1988, served as President and was a life-member of Nevada’s Italian Benevolent Society founded in Virginia City in 1872, and travelled around the world with his wife (when it was still fun to travel) making lasting friendships in many countries.

Tony is survived by his wife of 43 years, Nettie; his brother Vincent Oliverio and sister-in-law Angela, his sister Rose Burlingame; his nieces Rita Oliverio, Barbara Silo, Vicky Vecchiarella, Carolyn Adams and Becky Plunkett; his nephews Carmen Vecchiarella, Vincent Vecchiarella, Vincent Oliverio, James Crowder Austin Crowder, John Burlingame, Richard Oliverio, Daniel Oliverio and John Oliverio; his brothers-in-law Jay Crowder, John Crowder and Hobert Plunkett, his sister-in-law Iris Shelton and his great-nieces and nephews.

In the Age of Covid, rather than coming together we ask that you hug your loved ones, raise a glass and share a joke Tony would have enjoyed and, if so moved, contribute to the David J. Drakulich Foundation’s program providing art therapy for veterans coping with PTSD. www.arthealswarwounds.com