Johnnie Pete Daro
Johnnie Pete Daro of League City passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2015 in Webster, Texas at the age of 93. He was born on March 14, 1922 in League City, Texas to Pete and Carolina Daro. Johnnie was a vegetable farmer in League City his entire life and was the last of the originally settled vegetable farmers in Galveston County. He was known as the “Cantaloupe Man”. During World War II from 1942 to 1945, Johnnie served in the 5th Army 349th Infantry 88th Division under General Mark Clark. Being very fluent in the Italian Language, he interpreted for General Clark and the Lieutenant Colonel.
His tour included Casa Blanca, Africa, Algeria and Italy. He received five battle stars for combat on the Gothic Line, Gustav Line, Rome-Arno Line, PO Valley Line and North of Apennine Line. Two of his three years of service were spent in combat. He marched in combat from Naples, Italy to Brenner Pass into Austria where the war ended.
Johnnie was a member of VFW, American Legion and Saint Mary Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Rufine Ubanoski Daro, parents Pete and Carolina Daro, and brother-in-law Don Palermo.
He is survived by his sisters Catherine Daro Palermo and Margaret Daro Bilotta (George); nieces and nephews Franklin Palermo (Lois), Diane Palermo Mock, Steven Palermo (Lisa), Laura Bilotta Sanchez (Steve), Karen Bilotta Finke (Mike), Linda Bilotta Liechty (Tom); and many loving great-nieces and great-nephews, family and friends.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 5:00 PM with a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 1612 East Walker, League City, Texas. Mass will follow on Thursday, November 12, 10 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Howard Drabek officiating. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson, Texas.
Serving as pallbearers are Franklin Palermo, Steven Palermo, Steve Sanchez, Mike Finke, Tom Leichty and Chad Sanchez. Honorary pallbearers are Scott Palermo, Anthony Mock and Cody Sanchez.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Mary Catholic Church, 1612 East Walker, League City, TX 77573.
Received the news of his passing with great sadness. A great man
His family, friends, and country will miss him.
What a great legacy
I am proud to have met him and will never forget him
Father, receive him into your Holy presence
Uncle Johnny was such a good man. He always had something nice to say about everyone. I will always remember his smiling face, and the stories he shared from long ago. A hero from the greatest generation will be missed byall. I know he is with my mother and father having a good time in Heaven.
To the Daro family:
I read the obituary for Mr. Daro in the Houston Chronicle today. I am very sorry for your loss. The obituary reminded me of my own dad, and I just wonder if there was a possibility that your loved one may have known my dad. My dad served in the 88th infantry division under General Mark Clark. The 88th were known as the Blue Devils. Dad served in North Africa and then Italy. They landed in Naples and fought their way through Italy. When the war was over, they were at the Brenner Pass, near the city of Bolzano. That is where he met my mother. He married her in 1945 and brought her to the USA. My dad lived in West Columbia. I am very proud of our WWII veterans, and their service to the United States.
The obituary for your loved one touched my heart. Although I did not personally know Mr. Daro, please know that there are people out there that are grateful for him and the freedom that we have because of his service to our Country.
Mr. Shock. I am Johnnie Pete Daro’s niece. I spoke with Johnnie’s sisters which is my mother and my aunt and they told me that yes he was in the Blue Devil’s. They attended the last reunion in El Campo area and Johnnie spoke about one of his fellow army members that had married an Italian woman. I bet it was your dad. I am positive that he knew him because he told us about him. Thank you so much for the kind words. We will look it up and I may respond back. My personal email is ssanchez59@comcast,net if you wish to correspond. My name is Laura Bilotta Sanchez.