FULVIO Johanna “Janet,” (nee Mercurio) “Rosie the Riveter”, age 103, on June 20, 2023, of Springfield, PA. Longtime member of St. Francis of Assisi Choir. Johanna (Janet) Mercurio was born in Philadelphia on February 5, 1920 and grew up in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia. She was devoted to her parents, her fatherContinue Reading
FULVIO
Johanna “Janet,” (nee Mercurio) “Rosie the Riveter”, age 103, on June 20, 2023, of Springfield, PA. Longtime member of St. Francis of Assisi Choir.
Johanna (Janet) Mercurio was born in Philadelphia on February 5, 1920 and grew up in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia. She was devoted to her parents, her father Giuseppe, an Italian immigrant, and her mother Josephine, an American of Italian ancestry, and to her eight siblings. She loved being with her family and helping them in any way that she could. She loved the Friday night parties, when she and her brothers and sisters would literally roll-up the living room carpet to convert the space into a dance hall for family and friends. It was at one of these gleeful gatherings in 1936 that she met Frank Fulvio, her future husband. When they met, he was 26 and 10 years her senior and he literally swept her off her feet. After an evening of dancing, he left her with the words “Now you can dream about me all night.”
Janet loved her family and being with these people most dear to her heart was all that her heart desired. They and everyone else who knew her could not help but be touched by that tender, caring nature. However, if there was a word that characterized Janet, after tender, it would be “quiet.” The Roxborough High School Yearbook of 1938 says of her “We are sure ‘Jan’ has a voice but we very seldom hear from her.” Paradoxically, it also says that her ambition was to be a “radio singer” and presents her unique quote “I wanna be in Winchell’s column,” referring to Walter Winchell, the iconic newspaper columnist and radio commentator of the day.
In 1942, Janet joined the USO (United Service Organizations) and performed for large and small groups of military personnel in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The patriotism that pervaded “the greatest generation” propelled Janet to pour herself into the war effort in a more palpable way than performing…becoming a factory worker. In 1944, she traded her gown for overalls in going to work as a riveter at the Kellett Autogiro Corporation in Philadelphia, making part of the wing for the first rotary-wing aircraft in the history of the United States Army. Her soft manner belied a strong backbone that was as tough as the metal she used to make the aircraft, impelling her into a fast promotion as a “foreman.” This job as a “Rosie the riveter” was a long haul for a young woman to make alone that required three legs of transportation. She had to take the ”E” bus at Ridge Avenue and Walnut Lane in the Roxborough section of the city that took her to another bus at Haverford Road and 54th Street, that then took her to a trolley that went directly to the factory. Her father would wait for her at the end of her shift at the “E” bus stop at two o’clock in the morning, to walk the three blocks with his daughter to their home.
After the war, in 1949, she married Frank Fulvio, Frank served on two fronts on two continents. From 1942 to 1946, Cpl. Fulvio fought in Europe, seeing action in Belgium, France and Germany. He was transferred to Asia briefly, to the Philippines, in 1946. Typical of their generation, they were married for 43 years, until his death in 1994 at age 84.
Janet did not pursue a career in singing, but instead devoted her life to her family as a home maker. However, she did forge another career at age 71 in retail sales for the Bryn Mawr Hospital Men’s Thrift Shop and worked her way into management responsibility. Her retail career lasted 23 years, until her retirement at age 94.
Her gentle and loving spirit has touched and moved everyone she knew or even those with whom she came into casual contact.
Predeceased by her husband Francis “Frank” J. Fulvio, her parents, and her siblings.
Survived by her children, Robert F. Fulvio, Patricia Fulvio, and Joanne Fulvio.
Relatives & friends are invited to her Viewing Tuesday, June 27th 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM followed by her Funeral Mass 11:00 AM ALL IN CHURCH at St. Francis of Assisi Parish 136 Saxer Ave, Springfield, PA 19064. Interment Westminster Cemetery.
Contributions in Janet’s memory may be made to Still Strong Foundation www.stillstrongfoundation.org and/or Michael’s Way www.michaelsway.org
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