John T. Odorisio was born in Camden around 1926 to Joseph and Nettie Odorisio. After his father passed away, he lived with his older brother Rocco and sister Constance at 425 Beckett Street, as recorded in the 1930 Census. His mother supported the family by working at a coat factory. They were still living at Beckett Street when the 1947 Camden City Directory was published.
John was a member of the Camden High School football team in 1945, which was co-champions with Collingswood High School in Group 4. His teammates included Antonio Doganiero, Bill Gimello, Joseph Giordano, Frank Perrone, Angelo Errichetti, Joseph Pepe, Eric Williams, Albert Mitroz, Carmine Caprice, Edward Kitlas, Joseph Caparola, and Steve Szwak. The team was coached by Walt Nowak and John Zizak.
In the early 1950s, John Odorisio served on the Camden Board of Education. On August 26, 1954, he was appointed City Clerk for Camden by Commissioner E. George Aaron, following the death of the previous City Clerk, Clay W. Reesman, on January 3, 1949. Mary MacClennon, Reesman’s long-time assistant, had served as acting City Clerk for over five years until Odorisio’s appointment.
Related Photos
Related Articles
-
John T. Odorisio
John T. Odorisio was born in Camden around 1926 to Joseph and Nettie Odorisio. After his father passed away, he lived with his older brother Rocco and sister Constance at 425 Beckett Street, as recorded in the 1930 Census. His mother supported the family by working at a coat factory. They were still living at…
-
William S. Gimello
William Savera Gimello is the son of the late Rocco “Rox” Gimello and Caterina Scogna. His father, known locally as the coach of the Camden Collegians, a semi-pro baseball team in the 1930s and 1940s, was also active in VFW affairs and politics. Born on January 1, 1928, at 270 Mount Vernon Street in Camden,…
-
9 Camden Police Earn Promotions
Camden Courier-Post – June 22, 1967 Lt. Howard Clayton, 55, 30 year veteran on Camden’s police was named acting captain of the service division yesterday, while five city patrolmen were sworn in as detectives by John T. Odorisio, city clerk. A sixth patrolman, Isaiah Pitts, 37, of 2920 Berkley Street, unable to attend promotion ceremonies…
-
Pierce is Ousted as Safety Head
Camden Courier-Post – June 10, 1960 Amid cheers and boos from spectators, Mayor Pierce was switched from director of public safety to public affairs director at a commission meeting Thursday night. Pierce lost control of the police and fire departments by a 4-1 vote. The motion to divest the mayor of the public safety department…
-
Camden City March of Dimes Campaign
Camden Courier-Post – December 22, 1953 Completion of the Camden City volunteer organization which will distribute 1500 can containers to business houses throughout the city for the 1954 March of Dimes was announced today by City Commissioner Aaron, Camden County chairman. With leaders in every ward in Camden City, as well as in all the…
Leave a Reply