1927
John
2010
John L. "Blackie" Varriano
October 24, 1927 — May 20, 2010
John "Blackie" Varriano, 82, Moorhead, MN, died Thursday, May 20, 2010, at Innovis Health, Fargo, ND.
John L. Varriano was born to Joseph and Carmella (Altobell) Varriano, in Dilworth, MN, on October 24, 1927. He grew up in Dilworth's Little Italy and attended Dilworth High School. After working with his father on the railroad from the time he was very young, he joined the United States Navy in October of 1944. He served honorably until he was discharged in 1946. He returned to Dilworth and attended Moorhead (MN) State Teacher's College. John married Jean Wegge on December 30, 1948, in Moorhead.
John started his coaching and teaching career in 1951, in Bertha, MN. From there he moved to Osakis, MN, in 1954. He spent 1957-58 in Humbolt, MN, and moved back to Dilworth in 1962, where he taught and coached until he retired in 1986.
John spent most of his summers in Dilworth working on the railroad or at the ice house. John coached baseball, football, track and basketball throughout his long coaching career and was inducted into the Minnesota High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1989.
John is survived by his wife, Jean; five sons and two daughters, Mark S. (Mary) Varriano, Bemidji, MN, Kerby J. Varriano, Fargo, Michael J. Varriano (Shelly Molstre), Dilworth, Jo Ann Varriano, Moorhead, John M. (Cyn) Varriano, Fargo, Jeanette M. Varriano (Chet Williams), Clinton, UT, and David A. (Vicki) Varriano, Waubun, MN; seventeen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Teddy (Ellis) Freeman, Moorhead, Leonard (Carolyn) Varriano, Greeley, CO, Anna Marie (Lyle) Hornbacher, Oxbow, ND, Phil (Jim) Nelson, Moorhead, Elvira (Tom) Mattioli, Detroit Lakes, MN, Sue Jensen, Orange, CA, Pat (Donna) Varriano, Lilburn, GA, Rose Marie Wickum, Dilworth, Liz (Jim Finn) Marston, Windham, NH, Tony (Karel) Varriano, Moorhead, and Richard Varriano, Fargo.
John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joe, Carmen, and Jerry; and a sister, Delores.
John, or "Blackie", as he was equally known, was legendary not only for his opinions, but for his big heart. He dispensed his homemade goods, hard fought fish, and advice at will to anyone and everyone who spent even the briefest of moments with him. One was hard pressed to leave his house or office empty handed physically or mentally. He shared his love for fishing and gardening with friends and family far and wide. He loved and was loved fiercely and will be missed dearly.
Visitation for Blackie will be Sunday, May 23, 2010, from 2 - 4 PM, with a prayer service at 4 PM, in St Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead.
The funeral mass will be Monday, May 24, 2010, at 10:30 AM, in the Church.
Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.
Donations preferred to Churches United or Dorothy Day House.
John L. Varriano was born to Joseph and Carmella (Altobell) Varriano, in Dilworth, MN, on October 24, 1927. He grew up in Dilworth's Little Italy and attended Dilworth High School. After working with his father on the railroad from the time he was very young, he joined the United States Navy in October of 1944. He served honorably until he was discharged in 1946. He returned to Dilworth and attended Moorhead (MN) State Teacher's College. John married Jean Wegge on December 30, 1948, in Moorhead.
John started his coaching and teaching career in 1951, in Bertha, MN. From there he moved to Osakis, MN, in 1954. He spent 1957-58 in Humbolt, MN, and moved back to Dilworth in 1962, where he taught and coached until he retired in 1986.
John spent most of his summers in Dilworth working on the railroad or at the ice house. John coached baseball, football, track and basketball throughout his long coaching career and was inducted into the Minnesota High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1989.
John is survived by his wife, Jean; five sons and two daughters, Mark S. (Mary) Varriano, Bemidji, MN, Kerby J. Varriano, Fargo, Michael J. Varriano (Shelly Molstre), Dilworth, Jo Ann Varriano, Moorhead, John M. (Cyn) Varriano, Fargo, Jeanette M. Varriano (Chet Williams), Clinton, UT, and David A. (Vicki) Varriano, Waubun, MN; seventeen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Teddy (Ellis) Freeman, Moorhead, Leonard (Carolyn) Varriano, Greeley, CO, Anna Marie (Lyle) Hornbacher, Oxbow, ND, Phil (Jim) Nelson, Moorhead, Elvira (Tom) Mattioli, Detroit Lakes, MN, Sue Jensen, Orange, CA, Pat (Donna) Varriano, Lilburn, GA, Rose Marie Wickum, Dilworth, Liz (Jim Finn) Marston, Windham, NH, Tony (Karel) Varriano, Moorhead, and Richard Varriano, Fargo.
John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joe, Carmen, and Jerry; and a sister, Delores.
John, or "Blackie", as he was equally known, was legendary not only for his opinions, but for his big heart. He dispensed his homemade goods, hard fought fish, and advice at will to anyone and everyone who spent even the briefest of moments with him. One was hard pressed to leave his house or office empty handed physically or mentally. He shared his love for fishing and gardening with friends and family far and wide. He loved and was loved fiercely and will be missed dearly.
Visitation for Blackie will be Sunday, May 23, 2010, from 2 - 4 PM, with a prayer service at 4 PM, in St Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead.
The funeral mass will be Monday, May 24, 2010, at 10:30 AM, in the Church.
Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.
Donations preferred to Churches United or Dorothy Day House.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John L. "Blackie" Varriano, please visit our flower store.
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