Robert L. Talarico

Robert L. Talarico, 72, of New Philadelphia, died Thursday evening, October 16, 2003 at Aultman Hospital following a weeklong illness. Born in Martins Ferry, O, January 14, 1931, he was a son of the late Vincent and Teresa Colosimo Talarico. Robert was a graduate of Yorkville High School. He then attended Ohio University, before receiving a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University followed by a master’s degree in education from Xavier University. A lifelong educator, Mr. Talarico began his teaching career in the late 1950’s at Franklin Middle School and later East High School in Columbus. In August 2002, he retired as the Executive Director of the East Central Ohio Special Education Regional Resource Center where he worked tirelessly to advocate the needs of the developmentally disabled. He strongly believed in the work that he did, and his heart was always with those he served. Mr. Talarico was a founding member and past president of the Tuscarawas County Italian American Festival Committee. In 2002 his peers honored him with the Outstanding Italian American award. He was also instrumental in the planning, construction and maintenance of the bocce courts at Tuscora Park. He regularly participated in Bocce tournaments with the faithful team consisting of Pete Perazzi, Joe Tripodi, Frank Angelo and Al Batallio. Mr. Talarico was a family man, who always involved himself in activities that would bring him closer to his daughters and grandchildren. When his daughters were in high school, he was active in the New Philadelphia Band Boosters, and served as the organization’s president for one year. Recently, he had taken up fishing, to spend time with his grandsons who expressed an interest in the sport. On June 11, 1960, he married the love of his life, the former Judy Brown. Over the last forty-three years, they raised two daughters, Terri (Richard) Huth of New Philadelphia and Kristi Talarico of Columbus. He was especially proud of his grandsons, Collin, Kyle and Vincent Huth. Three brothers, Joseph (Margie) Talarico of Yorkville, Vincent (Sandy) Talarico of Wintersville, and Ed Talarico of Perrysburg; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, complete the family. Friends are invited to call Monday, October 20, anytime after 2 PM with the family present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory, where a Christian wake service will commence at 8:00 PM. Monsignor George J. Schlegel will officiate funeral services Tuesday at 10:30 AM in the funeral home’s chapel. Entombment will follow at 12:30 PM in the mausoleum of Holly Memorial Gardens at Colerain, OH. A reception will be given at the Lewis Center inside the McDonald-Marlite Conference Center on West High Avenue in New Philadelphia at approximately 3:30 PM, upon return of the funeral cortege from the cemetery. To honor his legacy of service to the Italian-American Festival, the Talarico family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Tuscarawas County Italian-American Festival Foundation, P.O. Box 405, New Philadelphia OH 44663.