James J. Liotta

James J. Liotta

James J. Liotta "Jimmy Tino", age 83, passed after a short illness on Sunday, October 10, 2010. He was born in New York City, April 5, 1927, and came to Erie with his parents, Rose and Mike when he was 4.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corp., World War II. He was a strong labor organizer, worked for 35 years at Erie Forge and Steel, rising to president of Local 1573 United Steelworkers. He was committed to advocating for "the little guy". He also owned and operated various businesses, Liotta Construction, Flowerland Florist and Tino's Italian Restaurant. He was active in local politics serving as Chairman of the 4th Ward Democratic Committee. He was well known for his love for animals, and was an avid "catch and release" fisherman.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Rose and Mike and two brothers Charles (Red) Liotta, and Louie Franzese.

His family was his life. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty M. Larese Liotta of Erie; six daughters, Janice Liotta Hawryliw and husband Ron, Valerie Liotta Hawryliw and husband Mike, Angela Liotta Fabrizi and husband Robbie, Pam Liotta Fall and Rosalie Liotta all of Erie and Deborah Liotta Dolan and husband Dave of Houston,TX; three sons, James Liotta, Jeffrey Liotta and wife Mary both of Erie and Joe Liotta of Houston, TX; seventeen grandchildren, Tina Fabrizi Romanski and husband Tim, Marissa Steiner Romanski and husband Rick, Shiela Wagner, Kayla Mansfield, Maria Liotta, Michelle Storick and husband Jason, Mathew Hawryliw, Jim Hawryliw, Jeffrey Hawryliw, Anthony Liotta and Nick Fall all of Erie and Danielle Steiner Goodwin and husband Jason, Joe Liotta and wife Laura, Andrea Reyes and husband Gabe, Tina Liotta, and Chris Fall of Houston, TX and Genea Steiner Bristow and husband Jared of Austin, TX and many great-grandchildren, Brianna Romanski, Timmy Romanski, Sammy Romanski, Alyssa Romanski, Ricky Romanski, Riley Hawryliw, Hunter Storicks, Tyler Storicks all of Erie, Gabriella Page, Gavin Goodwin, Gracie Goodwin, Mia Reyes, and Bryce Liotta of Houston, TX and Madelyn Bristow and Emma Bristow of Austin, TX. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews that he adored.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, 2122 Raspberry Street, on Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 pm and Thursday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm and may attend a service there on Friday at 9:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass at Saint Stephen RC Church, 1237 West 21st Street, at 10 am. Entombment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery Holy Family Mausoleum.