Morris J. Mistretta Dies; Area Athlete

Morris J. Mistretta, 68, of 46 Water Street, Jamestown, died at 9:45 p.m., Tuesday, January 17, 1978, in WCA Hospital.

A well-known area athlete, Mistretta had played football in former years with Liberty A.C., had played semi-pro baseball, had bowled in the Classic League and also had been a baseball umpire and football referee.

He was named Chairman of the City Recreation Commission at its inception in 1955; was a charter member of Liberty A.C.; and was a member of the Jamestown Oldtimers Baseball Club and served on its Board of Directors.

Mistretta was born January 15, 1910 in Elnora, PA, the son of Joseph and Grace Milioto Mistretta and came to Jamestown in 1915. He attended Jamestown High School.

He was a member of St. James Catholic Church, the Moose Club, the Town Club, United Commercial Travelers, and a social member of the VFW.

Mistretta owned and operated Jamestown Distributing. In earlier years, he was a foreman at Mason Carving Works.

Surviving are his wife, the former Josephine Oleandi; two sons, Vincent and Joseph Mistretta of Jamestown; three grandchildren, Mrs. Frank Panebianco of Santa Ana, CA, Joy and Laurie Mistretta of Jamestown; four sisters, Mrs. Margaret Giordano of Jamestown, Mrs. Lucy Nicosia of San Jose, CA, Mrs. Raymond Price of Dunkirk, and Miss Rose Mistretta of Jamestown; and a brother, Philip Mistretta of Jamestown.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Paul, on April 16, 1956.

The funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday in St. James Church.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today and from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday in the Costanzo Funeral Home, where vigil prayers will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.