OLIVERI, John Joseph

After a brave battle with cancer, John passed away on September 5, 2017, the day after his 85th birthday, in his home surrounded by loved ones. A life-long resident of Spokane, John attended Lincoln grade school, Gonzaga Prep, class of ‘50, Gonzaga University, and Pacific Coast Banking School.

Hard work and dedication earned him the title of President of First National Bank and Compass Group. He retired in 1995 after a notable 30+ year career in the banking industry. John happily came out of retirement in 1999, accepting a new role as loving “Papa” when his first grandchild was born, a role he embraced eight times over in a short three-year period. His selfless and unwavering love of family will be his legacy for generations to come.

As luck may have it, John met the love of his life while at a friend’s outdoor party. A serendipitous glance across the fence captured the attention of Carole Glassley.  Their courtship was briefly interrupted just once, by a two year tour of duty in the US Army.  John returned to Spokane and wed Carole in 1956, a bond that lasted three days shy of their 61st wedding anniversary.

Enjoying Italian traditions handed down by his parents and grandparents, John would make scalili with his wife and cousins at holidays and meatballs for Sunday spaghetti dinners. He was a stickler for grammar, often reminding us to “never end a sentence with a preposition!” His penmanship was flawless and beautiful, an envy of his wife and children.  A big do-it-yourselfer, he accumulated Popular Mechanics magazines spanning 20 years and would read each issue with purpose.  John was a member of the Model A Club, tinkered on cars, enjoyed a round of golf, and commuted to work every summer from his lake cabin on lower Twin Lakes in Idaho where he enjoyed “happy hour” with neighbors on his deck and pulling teenage skiers behind his boat.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Mildred Oliveri, and sister, Evelyn Hylton. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carole Oliveri, his son David Oliveri (Mindy Hansen) of Las Vegas, his daughter Carolyn Comick (John) of Seattle, daughter Christine Oliveri of Spokane, and 8 grandchildren: Lauren and Nicholas Oliveri, Grant and Carson Comick, and John, Teresa, Corinne and Joseph Berg.

We express our deepest gratitude to the wonderful caregivers at Home Instead and Hospice of Spokane. Their professional yet tender care was a tremendous help to the family and allowed John to remain at home.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, September 16th at 12 noon at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 330 E. Boone, followed by entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to Hospice of Spokane.

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