Obituary of Mario Paul Gaetano

Mario Paul Gaetano of Franklinville, formerly of Olean passed away Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 in Buffalo General Hospital. Born January 21, 1930 in Olean, Merle was the fourth of five children born to Angelo and Raphaela Guerra Gaetano. On May 10, 1952, in Olean, He married Carmella Palmer, who predeceased him on May 10, 1993. On August 25, 1995, he married Catherine Harrison O'Hara, who survives. Merle attended St. Mary's Catholic school and the Olean High School before leaving to serve his country as a member of the US Navy, from February 6, 1948 to January 5, 1957. During that time he served on the USS Albany CA-123 and a short time on the USS New Jersey BB-62 as a Gunner's Mate, 2nd Class, during the Korean War. Merle also was a Gunner Instructor at the Dam Neck Naval Base in Virginia. After his service years, Merle returned to Olean, worked for Eade's Distributors and Hysol, and then retired from the Olean School District in 1991. He greatly loved his family, friends, and his dog, Maggie Girl. he enjoyed golfing, gardening, cooking, traveling, and playing euchre. He was an avid St. Bona's basketball and NY Yankees fan. It gave Merle great joy when his grandson, Nicholas, took over the Gaetano family tradition of making wine. Surviving besides his wife, Catherine, are three daughters, Mary Jo (Louis) Crispi of Williamstown, NJ, Patricia Gaetano of Olean, and Lynn Ramire of Phoenix, AZ; three grandsons, Nicholas (Stephanie) Johnson, Michael (Michelle) Johnson, and Louis Carmen Crispi; one granddaughter, Nicole Ramire; three great grandchildren, Norah Johnson, Isabella Salinas, and Joseph Johnson; one step daughter, Catherine (Darryl) Green; three step grandsons, Darren, Dustin, and Dillon Green; one step great grandson, Christian Izaiah Green; one brother, James Gaetano; one brother-in-law, Clarence (Nora) Harrison; and many nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to his parents, Merle was predeceased by a granddaughter, Baby Crispi; two sisters, Margaret Lucia & Dorothy Holden; a brother, Joseph Gaetano; two wonderful mothers-in-law, Eva Squillano Palmer and Florence Phillips Harrison; and his precious Maltese, Maggie Girl. Friends will be received in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., #646 E. State St., Olean, on Friday, Oct. 9, 2015 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary of the Angels Church on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 at 10:00 am. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. Members of the Allegany American Legion Charles Harbel Post 892 Ritual Team will accord full military honors. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made by clicking the button above.