Pete Anthony Faniola

Pete Anthony Faniola, age 87, of Dover died Wednesday, March 14, 2012 in Hennis Care Center at Dover following a brief illness.

A son of the late Steve and Mary (Scalambrino) Faniola, Pete was born at Roswell, Ohio on November 25, 1924.

He attended the former Midvale High School where he played baseball, basketball, and football and served as a member of the United States Air Force during World War II.

In 1988, Pete retired from the Gradall Company at New Philadelphia following a 34 year career as a millwright.

A longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia, Pete was also a 30 plus year member of the Tuscarawas Central Catholic Booster Club. His other memberships included the New Philadelphia VFW Carl C. Stoller Post #1445 as well as the Army-Navy Garrison at Dover and the former New Philadelphia Moose Lodge where he previously served as a bartender.

Pete continued his love for sports throughout his life and later enjoyed watching and attending sporting events of his children and grandchildren and remained a faithful fan of the Notre Dame and Pittsburgh Steelers football teams.

Pete is survived by two sons Mark (Sue) Faniola of Strasburg and David Hall of Uhrichsville; a sister, Donna Sopinski and a brother, Howard Faniola both of New Philadelphia.

Completing the family are two grandchildren, Kristin (Chad Betz) Faniola and Scott (Amy) Faniola; a great-grandson, Brenin Betz and a nephew, Eddie Sopinski.

In addition to his parents, Pete Was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Faniola; a sister, Theresa Faniola and a brother-in-law, Edward Sopinski.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 16, 2012 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Linn-Hert Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 8:00 PM. Father Jeff Coning will lead a funeral service celebrating Pete’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Saturday at 1:30 PM. Burial with military honors will follow in the Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia.

Following services, the family invites guests to join them for a light reception in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the New Philadelphia funeral home.

Memorial Contributions in Pete’s name may be directed to the Tuscarawas Central Catholic Booster Club, 777 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.