JOHN J FIUME's Obituary
FIUME, JOHN JAMES., January 20, 1923 - January 2, 2015 Of Coral Gables, FL, passed over on January 2, 2015 at 91 years of age. John James, or "J.J.", the youngest of 18 children, was born in Brooklyn, NY on January 20, 1923. In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, he was among the brave First Wave of American troops to swim ashore at Omaha Beach along France's Normandy Coast. That December, his fortitude was tested again in horrific conditions when he was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. He loaded and fired cannons, shot down enemy aircraft, earned medals and returned home from WWII a survivor. His fearless grit and positive outlook served him then and throughout his colorful life, and he motivated those around him to be tough and tenacious, too. Whatever his venture, and there were many, he did it, "My Way." After the war, he dabbled in numerous occupations including working in a bottle cap factory and at Barricini Candies, but he was an entrepreneur and did well at several businesses while living in Brooklyn and Manhattan. It was his successful land development business in the early 1960s that led him to Chicago, Detroit, Indiana, the Poconos in Pennsylvania, and all the way to Texas before he eventually retired near Miami, Florida. He was savvy and magnetic, handsome and athletic, and fantastic in the kitchen. J.J. could spend a day out on the boat, free dive 35' to spear a snapper, cook the freshest, most fabulous snapper francese, and even wash the dishes, too. If he wasn't sailing or fishing, maybe he was scuba diving in the Bahamas or snow skiing in Vail. His 70th birthday was spent winning a NASTAR gold medal in Steamboat Springs for Downhill Slalom. If you were hanging out with J.J., you were likely doing something exciting and having an uproarious good time, and you were learning. J.J. is survived by his wife, Norma Jean Voss Fiume, the mothers of his children, Shirley and Judy, his 5 children: Robert ("Bobby") and wife Julianna, Ellen Gulitti and husband George, Steven ("Stevie") and wife Kelly, Kevin and wife Patricia ("Patty"), and Tracey Laiken and husband Larry, 9 grandchildren: Melisse Budin and husband Steve, John Pierre ("J.P.") Fiume and companion Richard, Christopher Gulitti and wife Geri, Robert ("Bob") Gulitti and wife Lisa, Nicole Baker and husband Rick Stautmeister, Casey and Jesse Fiume, Hunter and Travis Fiume and their mother Kathy, 9 great grandchildren: Jacqueline, Juliette and Jace Budin, Chuck Piland and Cory Gulitti, Emma and Zachary Gulitti, Alex Baker and wife Nicole Martin Baker and Ashley Baker, a great, great grandson Jax Alex Baker, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and his beloved Chihuahua Brandy. His passing is preceded by great grandson Chance James Gulitti. His companion for the last 41 years is his wife, Norma Jean Voss Fiume, who is so grateful for the wonderful time she had with him. A visitation will be held at Van Orsdel Kendall Drive Chapel, 11220 N. Kendall Drive Miami, FL 33176 on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 beginning at 5:00 p.m. for family members and from 6:00p.m. - 8:30 p.m. for family and friends. A service will follow directly after at 8:30.
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