John Michael Sorice

John Michael Sorice, 85, of Washington, died Wednesday, March 14, 2012, in Donnell House, following a brief illness. He was born May 25, 1926, in Sant’Angelo a Fasanella, Salerno, Italy, a son of Antonio and Maria Clavelli Sorice, and lived in Italy until the age of eight when he came to the United States with his family. During World War II, Mr. Sorice served in the United States Navy as a Seaman, first class, aboard the USS Piedmont (AD-17). During his time on the ship, he was involved in operations at Lingayen (Luzon, The Philippines), Iwo Jima and Okinawa, made stops at the islands of Ulithi and Eniwetok, and was aboard ship when the crew captured the battleship Nagato. Seaman Sorice watched the signing of the peace treaty with Japan in Tokyo Bay, and the crew of the Piedmont was the first to be able to have liberty (rest and relaxation) in Japan. He was awarded the Japanese Occupation Medal, Pacific Theater Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and a medal from the Republic of China. He was honorably discharged on May 12, 1946, having served his adopted country admirably. Mr. Sorice worked for 24 years at Hazel Atlas and Brockway and retired from Precision Marshall, where he worked as a grinder and machine operator, after 19 years of service. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking, and was known for being able to fix anything with his hands. Mr. Sorice was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. On June 12, 1949, he married Geraldine Pallesco, who died August 19, 1999. Surviving are a son, Michael (Kathy) Sorice of Washington; a daughter, Cynthia (Guy) Desmond of Converse, Texas, three grandchildren, Cheryl Sorice, Brenda (Matthew) Girod and Maria Desmond; and a great-granddaughter, Melanna Palaschak. Deceased is a sister, Evelyn Sorice. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 17th, in Immaculate Conception Church, with Father Nicholas Spirko as celebrant. Burial will follow in Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.