John
Odoriso

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.

Bill Gimello makes a first down early in the first quarter of a game against Woodrow Wilson High at Farnham Park, Camden

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 n 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 .read 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.

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

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

A Resolution
Appointing
Joseph J. McComb
as a
Commissioner
of the
Housing Authority
of the
City of Camden

signed by
John T. Odorisio, city clerk

Veterans Boxing Association Ring 6
11th Annual Banquet - April 20, 1959

Pierce Is Ousted As Safety Head

By LEE STEW ART

 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 top 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 I 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. 

Overflow crowd of more than 500 spectators jammed city commission chambers Thursday night at meeting which stripped Mayor Pierce of his duties as director of public safety and made him director of public affairs.

9 Camden Police Earn Promotions

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..

Camden Courier-Post * September 8, 1967

Spencer Smith Jr.  - John T. Odorisio - Jack Yeager - Jack Dease
Leo Tompkins Jr. - Leon Puszczykowski - Alfred R. Pierce -  Keith Kauffman