Introduction
JOHN ODORISIO was born in Camden around 1926 to Joseph and Nettie Odorisio. His father having passed away, he was living with his older brother Rocco, and sister Constance at 425 Beckett Street when the 1930 Census was taken. His mother then supported the family by working at a coat factory. The family was still living at the Beckett Street address when the 1947 Camden City Directory was published. John Odorisio was a member of the Camden High School football team of 1945 which was co-champions with Collingswood High School in Group 4. 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. That team was coached by Walt Nowak and John Zizak.
In the early 1950s John Odorisio served as a member of the Camden Board of Education. He was named to the post of City Clerk for Camden by Commissioner E. George Aaron on August 26, 1954. The previous City Clerk, Clay W. Reesman, had died on January 3, 1949. Reesman’s long-time assistant Mary MacClennon served as acting City Clerk for over five years, until Odorisio’s appointment.
1945
Camden High School football team — 1945
Camden’s Backs Run At Will To Submerge Wilson, 37 To 6
Camden Courier-Post — 1945
CAMDEN'S BACKS RUN AT WILL TO SUBMERGE WILSON, 37 TO 6
Winners Display Plenty of Punch; Williams, Odorisio Stand Out
By JAMES FOODY
Camden High proved a good miniature edition of the Philadelphia Eagles.
With Walt Nowak making his debut as coach, the co-defending South Jersey Group 4 champions unleashed a never-ending stream of shifty and hard running backs. Even the third-string backs looked like hard runners.
On the receiving end of Camden's power and polish was Woodrow Wilson High, which bowed by the one-sided score of 37-6 before a shirt-sleeved crowd of close to 4000 last Saturday at Farnham Park. They'll meet again Thanksgiving Day.
It was opening day for both schools, but the "Prexys" were completely outclassed.
Prove Good 'T' Pupils
Also aided by Leroy Zimmerman, the master-mind behind the over-tackle on short bucks for the other tallies, Mitrotz place-kicked an extra point after Perrone's touchdown after Steve Szwak and Bob Ristine missed a couple chances.
Two passes, Emil La Buda to Jim Baud, in the opening plays of the last period put the Wilson followers in a happy state for the only time all day. The first aerial was good for 17 yards and the second negotiated 30.
It would be an injustice to name an individual hero, but Odorisio always looks good to me.
[Statistics table: Camden 18 first downs, Wilson 5; Camden 335 rushing yards, Wilson 12; etc.]
Touchdowns—Williams 2, Erichetti, Perrone, Doganiero, Odorisio. Points after touchdowns—Mitrotz (placement). Substitutions—Camden—Kitlas, Pontelan, Erdolfo Pepe, Levenson, Santanello, Perrone, Moran, Schultz, Reed, Ciprani, Georgi, Mitrotz, Savage, Simonsick, Bonelle, Bukstynowicz, Vespe, Kelly, Harvey, Chain, Geli Auletto, Ivory, Gross, Otter, Hammond. Wilson—Willes, Raup, Foster, Donovan. Referee—Myers. Camden umpires—Cragen F&M. Head linesman—Lawson, Muklenberg.
Winners Display Plenty of Punch; Williams, Odorisio Stand Out
Camden High proved a good miniature edition of the Philadelphia Eagles.
With Walt Nowak making his debut as coach, the co-defending South Jersey Group 4 champions unleashed a never-ending stream of shifty and hard running backs. Even the third-string backs looked like hard runners.
On the receiving end of Camden’s power and polish was Woodrow Wilson High, which bowed by the one-sided score of 37–6 before a shirt-sleeved crowd of close to 4000 last Saturday at Farnham Park. They’ll meet again Thanksgiving Day.
It was opening day for both schools, but the “Prexys” were completely outclassed.
Also aided by Leroy Zimmerman, the master-mind behind the over-tackle on short bucks for the other tallies, Mitrotz place-kicked an extra point after Perrone’s touchdown after Steve Szwak and Bob Ristine missed a couple chances.
Two passes, Emil La Buda to Jim Baud, in the opening plays of the last period put the Wilson followers in a happy state for the only time all day. The first aerial was good for 17 yards and the second negotiated 30.
It would be an injustice to name an individual hero, but Odorisio always looks good to me.
Touchdowns—Williams 2, Erichetti, Perrone, Doganiero, Odorisio. Points after touchdowns—Mitrotz (placement). Substitutions—Camden—Kitlas, Pontelan, Erdolfo Pepe, Levenson, Santanello, Perrone, Moran, Schultz, Reed, Ciprani, Georgi, Mitrotz, Savage, Simonsick, Bonelle, Bukstynowicz, Vespe, Kelly, Harvey, Chain, Geli Auletto, Ivory, Gross, Otter, Hammond. Wilson—Willes, Raup, Foster, Donovan. Referee—Myers. Camden umpires—Cragen F&M. Head linesman—Lawson, Muklenberg.
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 municipalities of the county appointed, Aaron predicted the coming campaign, which begins next month, will surpass all records.
“Never has the need been greater than it is today, and never have the prospects been so heartening for combating the dread disease of Infantile paralysis” Aaron said.
“While this tremendously important work is going on, we must in care for those already stricken and those who will be stricken next year. More than 60 patients afflicted with polio this year, as well as past polio cases, have received treatment at the Camden Municipal Hospital, treatment made possible by past contributions to the March of Dimes. Your money has saved the lives of countless people; countless others need your help.”
The committee follows: First Ward, Joseph Davis; Second Ward, David Hagarty; Third Ward, louis di renzo; Fourth Ward, John Odorisio; Fifth Ward, Mrs. Anna Anderson and Mrs. Lena Rago; Sixth Ward, John Salvatore; Seventh Ward, Mrs. Alfreda Hart; Eighth Ward, Anthony Bezich and Delaware Palmer; Ninth Ward, Oscar Moore; 10th Ward, Edward Kelley; 11th Ward, Mrs. Ella Mae Russell and Carroll Gooch; 12th Ward, Margaret Foley and Wayne McCormick; 13th Ward, Albert Becker and 14th Ward, John Emmel.
P. Donovan Cragin is executive secretary of Camden County Chapter, National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, sponsor of the March of Dimes.
Three Aspirants Combine Forces In School Race
Camden Courier-Post —
Merrill Hallowell, Samuel T. French Jr. and John T. Odorisio, candidates in the Camden Board of Education election, announced today that “at the request of three civic organizations and hundreds of parents they are joining their efforts in a common crusade for better schools.”
In a joint statement the board aspirants said “our practical aims for the improvement of the city’s school system are based on logic and a thorough study of the ability of the taxpayer to meet the increased costs.”
Rep Opponents
“A pronounced threat is posed to the future of our educational standards by the careless charges of two candidates whose primary purpose is to establish a political empire of their own. Both Benjamin Maiatico and Joseph Sherman take refuge behind a feeble facade of fancy and fiction.
“We have no political aspirations and are pledged never to be candidates for public office. Maiatico’s mixture of politics and education can only spell a retreat in the advances made in our schools,” the candidates declared.
Formal endorsements by the civic organizations supporting them will be announced this week by the presidents of the groups, they said.
At the same time, Hallowell, French and Odorisio announced agreement on a nine-point statement of policy calling for “a planned program of new school building, more state aid for education and full value for every dollar spent by the board of education.”
The platform pledges:
“A planned program of new school building in all sections of the city.
“Improvement of older schools on a continuing basis looking toward immediate elimination of any conditions which hamper the progress of our educational system.
Business Methods
“Operation of the board of education’s business manager office in a sound manner with every modern business precept used to insure efficiency and full value for every dollar spent.
“Full recognition of the importance and development of a program to encourage students to enter the teaching ranks with emphasis upon the graduates of our own school system.
“Maintenance of a teachers’ salary schedule high enough to attract the best teachers on a level with other cities of our size.
“Wider training programs for teachers and principals at all levels to encourage their further study and speed their advancement.
“Increased attention to the needs of socially maladjusted children with expanded special programs to help curb juvenile delinquency.
“A continuation of the board’s efforts to secure more state aid for education to allow expansion of our school system with a lower local tax burden.
“Amplification of the aims of our schools through a public relations program enlisting the counsel of all citizens, parents, PTA’s and civic groups.”
Camden Board of Education — 1955
Around the Table: Victor Levinson, James O’Neill, May A. Jones, John J. Horn, Samuel T. French Jr., Joseph C. Ragone, Alfred R. Pierce, Harry R. Janice, j. maxwell griffin, Eugene E. Wales, John Odorisio, Dr. Leon Neulen
Camden Board of Education — 1957
Around the Table: Eluria Milliken, Victor Levinson, May A. Jones, John J. Horn, Alfred R. Pierce, Samuel T. French Jr., Joseph C. Ragone, Anthony R. Catrambone, Harry R. Janice, j. maxwell griffin, Eugene E. Wales, John Odorisio
City Clerk’s Office Certification — April 10, 1957
A Resolution Appointing Joseph J. McComb as Commissioner of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden — signed by John T. Odorisio, City Clerk, April 12, 1957
I, John T. Odorisio, City Clerk of Camden, New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of A Resolution Appointing Joseph J. McComb as Commissioner of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden for a term of five years, passed by the Board of Commissioners of Camden, New Jersey, the Eleventh day of April, A. D. 1957, as taken from and compared with the original now on file in my office.
Veterans Boxing Association Ring 6 — 11th Annual Banquet, April 20, 1959
Named: Joey Powell, 1931, 127lbs. Dick Graminga, Charles Humes and Tony Georgette, Managers. Eddie Prince, Lew Sparks and Jack Blackburn, and Trainers..
Joey Powell’s Well-Wishers — Also Extend Best Wishes To Sergeant Ray Smith
Joseph Grochowski, Al Bunker, Ed Kaszycki, Andy Friday, John Skiba, John Dombrowski, Walter Szalanski, Nick Pawlak, Wm. O’Brien, Bill Neil, Wm. Schultz, Tom Scarduzio, Peter Paull, Barney Tracey, Dave Hainsworth, Walter Zimolong, Edward Shapiro, Thomas McLaughlin, John Opfer, Vallie Francesconi, Tom Ryan, Leon Lucas, Jesse Urban, Bobbie Zimmerman, Joe (Kid) Murphy, Pee Wee Wilson, Jackie Gleason, Joe Vitarelli, Al Daley, Frankie Youker, Joe McEvoy, Frank Valenti, Jim McFadden, Charles Bauer, George Ballantine, James O’Neill, Dorothy Dougherty, Agnes McHenry, Vicky Dangler, Francis Souders, Loretta and Reds, Bart, Roger Cotton, Leon McCarthy, Kenneth Geitz, Joe Daubman, Norman Jacobson, Nick Colofrancisco, Chris Rago, Charles Myers, Ray Cohand, Paul Harduk, Charles Wells, Carl Stolinski, Walter Wilson, Steve Straub, Charley Kmiec, Jimmy Tyler, Joe Dorfy, William Vogel, John Campbell, Steve O’Keefe, Sam Laird, Ed Rickter, Don Cragin, John Odorisio, Michael Przywara, Walter Paleszewski, Watson Burdalski, Stanley Snajkowski, Frank Drabik, John P. Kawczak, Frank Kulesa, Steve Kirby, James R. Asher, Polack Tony, Stephen Yakopczyna, Helen and Chick, Don Wilson, James Monaghan, George Carr, Bill Jentsch, John Greenan, Charles Galasso, Don’s Barber Shop, Joe Shaw, Ben Gutowski, Tom Bristow, Joseph Stelmach, Leon Hood, George Saunders, Mike Borman, Anthony Cirelli, Bob Hardy, Frank Hardy, Benny DePalma, Frank Padulla, Mike Yack, Stanley Powell, George Kroecker, A Friend, The Fox, Tom Fish.
Pierce Is Ousted As Safety Head
Camden Courier-Post —
By LEE STEWART
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 was made by Commissioner Abbott and seconded by Commissioner garrity. Pierce cast the lone dissenting vote against the change.
At 8:25 p. m. after the commission had gone through the routine business, Commissioner Shepp handed a sheaf of papers to City Clerk John T. Odorisio. Odorisio started shuffling the papers when Shepp told him to read them in the order he gave them to him.
Cheers, Boos
The resolutions read by the clerk first changed the duties of the various commissioners. The more than 500 spectators cheered then booed as Pierce cast the only dissenting vote.
Then Odorisio read the resolution which then transferred four of the commissioners.
Garrity, who was public affairs director, was named to succeed Pierce as public safety director in charge of the police and fire departments.
The public affairs directorship was a sharply curtailed one as contrasted to what garrity had. Assigned to the department of public affairs was the director’s office, the revaluation program, visiting nurses, public assistance, the Camden County Historical Society, charitable institutions, the Parking Authority, Civil Defense and celebration of public events, anniversaries and holidays.
garrity retained the health department, sanitary control and cemeteries.
Taken away from the department of public affairs and given to other commissioners was the plumbing inspector, municipal court, Municipal Hospital, Convention Hall, city clerk, elections, city property, bureau of tax title perfection and redemption, municipal welfare and Radio Station WCAM.
Commissioner Abbott was designated director of the department of public works; Italiano was named director of public parks and property, while Shepp retained the department of revenue and finance. Pierce again cast the lone dissenting vote.
Declines to Make Statement
At the close of the meeting a Courier-Post reporter asked Commissioner Italiano why he had voted to strip Mayor Pierce.
“I’d rather not make any statement at this time,” Italiano replied. “I may make a statement later.”
The reporter pointed out that whatever the commissioner had to say should be in today’s newspaper. Italiano repeated:
“I’d rather not have anything to say right now. I may have a statement in a day or two.”
Commissioner Garrity left the meeting room while the reporter was talking to Italiano.
Contacted Again
Again, this morning, a reporter contacted Italiano and asked him if he would explain his vote. He replied:
“No comment.”
Commissioner Garrity, reached at his home today, also was asked if he had any statement to make concerning his vote to strip Mayor Pierce.
“I haven’t prepared any statement as yet,” Garrity said. “I will have one later. I am figuring it out in my mind.”
Solicitor Quits
Following the changes, Michael J. Piarulli, city solicitor who would have reported to Shepp under the realignment, resigned. He previously was under Pierce’s office.
“I cannot, in good conscience, continue to work as city solicitor in a department headed by Commissioner Shepp,” Piarulli said. “I have nothing against Shepp. In due fairness, I do not feel I could do justice to the job.”
The meeting was thrown open to the public and many persons present spoke against the action of the commissioners in taking the department of public safety from Pierce.
Fire Captain Is Promoted
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Fire Capt. Harold H. Pike today was promoted to district fire chief. He was sworn by City Clerk Odorisio at ceremonies in the City Hall office of Public Safety Director Kauffman.
Pike of Engine Co. 1, 4th and Pine sts., is 38 and lives at 939 N. 31st st. Appointed as a ladderman in November, 1950, he was made a captain in 1961. Kauffman, Fire Chief Edward R. MacDowell and acting Deputy Chief Edward Michalak witnessed the swearing-in ceremony.
9 Camden Police Earn Promotions
Camden Courier-Post —
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 because of illness, will be sworn in on return to duty. He’s a 10-year veteran.
As acting captain of the service division, Clayton will head the identification, traffic and communications bureaus.
Patrolmen promoted yesterday were Augustus Balzano, 31, 3165 Merriel Avenue, and David Del Rossi, 27, 1466 Mount Ephraim Avenue, both three year veterans; John Phoenix, 35, 1333 Princess Avenue, Robert Mentz, 30, 2608 Baird Avenue, and Gilbert Upshaw, 36, 1525 Wildwood Avenue, all six-year members of the force.
The six men will earn $6625 a year as detectives; a $200 increase in present salary. All have been acting as detectives.
Deputy Police Chief William Yeager also announced the appointment of Sgt. Peter Paull, 42, a 16-year man on the force, as acting lieutenant. Paull will be in charge of the communications section.
Frank Senatore, also 42, and an 18-year veteran, will be transferred from the patrol division to the detective division Monday morning, Yeager said.
Present during the swearing in were Police Chief Harold Melleby, Yeager, and Captain John Watkins, head of the detective division.
Firemen, Police File Pay Petition
Camden Courier-Post —
Ballot Question
City police and firemen yesterday filed petitions to place their pay raise question on the ballot in the November election.
The petition contained nearly 17,000 signatures, nearly 36 per cent of the city’s 48,000 registered voters, according to Spencer Smith and John Odorisio, city clerk.
Spencer Smith, chairman of the joint pay-raise committee, said the city employes are seeking an across-the-board raise of $1,489.25 yearly. City police and firemen’s starting salaries are now $5,650.
More Than Needed
Jack Yeager, attorney for the police and firemen, said the next step in getting the pay question on the ballot would be certification of the petition by the city clerk and acceptance by City Council.
Smith said the committee had fine results in getting the large number of signatures in four days.
Yeager said police and firemen complied with both the election laws and provisions of the Faulkner Act in obtaining more than the necessary signatures. He said under the state’s election laws 20 per cent of the voter registration is required for petitions while the Faulkner Act requires 15 per cent.
Police and firemen have gone to the ballot six times since 1940 to gain pay hikes and have been successful in each bid. Twice city firemen used similar referendums and voter approval to shorten their work week which now stands at 42 hours.
Present at yesterday’s filing were Yeager, Smith, Leon Puszczykowski and James Asher, representing the fire department; and Jack Dease, Edward Hahn and Leo Tompkins of the police force. Tompkins is president of the local Fraternal Order of Police chapter.
Smith stated the proposed pay raise would increase the present tax rate by about 45 cents per $100 and would cost the average city homeowner about $24 a year.
He added that the proposed pay raise would be a great factor in recruiting men badly needed by both departments and would build morale for present members. He pointed out that the police department alone is now suffering from a shortage of nearly 100 men.
Survey Begun
Meanwhile, a Chicago consulting firm is conducting a survey of the police department, placing emphasis on the pay scale, according to Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman.
Tompkins last week said he was given assurance by both Mayor Alfred R. Pierce and Kauffman that they would be given a raise based on the findings of the city-hired survey team.
Nevertheless, police and firemen voted at a general membership meeting to go ahead with the referendum petition to safeguard their chances for a raise in the near future.
Autograph
Autograph of John T. Odorisio