Obituary of John Ristaino

John P. Ristaino Mr. Ristaino, 93, passed peacefully in the autumn of his life on November 6, 2011 at his home in Charlotte, NC. He joins his beloved bride Marie, with whom he is now eternally joined at the heart. Mr. Ristaino was born on January 17, 1918 in Bethayres, PA. He was gifted with athleticism, education, and craftsmanship, and he graced us with service of country, kindness, generosity and he was a gentleman, all qualities of ages past. He skate waltzed his way into the heart of his beloved Marie and speed skated his way to a state title at Asbury Park in New Jersey and a national title at Madison Square Garden in New York. Mr. Ristaino was also an undefeated Golden Glove Welter Weight Boxing Champion when his country called him to service before World War II. He fought in exhibition fights to increase enlistment in the service and fought on the same card as World Champions, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson and Chalky Wright. In the armed services, he served under General Patton in the Third Army, signal communications core, ?Cross of Loraine? as a Sergeant during World War II; General MacArthur in the Inchon Korean Conflict, Army Corps of Engineers as a Master Warrant Officer, Construction Chief, and Platoon Leader; and during peacetime he served in the European Theatre and the United States Army Corps of Engineers as Master Warrant Officer, Third Army. He was honorably discharged from service as an officer after twenty years. During his military career he received the American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, American Theatre Medal, Pre Pearl Harbor, Army of Occupation Germany, Korean Service Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, as well as two rifle marksmanship medals. Ristaino Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey was named after him for his many accomplishments. Mr. Ristaino graduated from Wm. L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City, NJ with a degree in Industrial Arts and after his military service obligation was complete he attended and graduated from East Carolina University with a Science Degree in Industrial Arts. Mr. Ristaino then went on to manage the Arts and Crafts programs at Ft. Bragg, NC until his retirement. During retirement, Mr. Ristaino enjoyed his hobbies, fine craftsmanship woodworking and winemaking. You would often find him in his woodshop making grandfather clocks, wood projects for church fund raisers, and assorted other projects or during the wine season in his vineyard. He is survived by his sister, Rose Motisi of Lyndhurst, NJ; children, John Ristaino and his wife Bernadette of Boerne, TX, Edward Ristaino and his wife Ruthie, of Cornelius, NC, Evelyn Ristaino, of Charlotte, NC, and Dominick Ristaino and his wife, Pamela of Charlotte, NC; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will at 10:00 AM Friday, November 11, 2011 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 3635 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209 with Reverend Timothy S. Reid, Celebrant. Interment with Military Honors will be at 1:00 PM Friday in National Cemetery at Salisbury, Salisbury, NC. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 PM at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.