Joe Oddo walks a mile every day, loves to cook and takes care of his wife each day
Assemblyman Steve Hawley was on hand at the Glenn S. Loomis American Legion Post 332 on Alexander Road on Tuesday, to present a NYS Assembly Citation to Joseph “Joe” Oddo, for his service to our country during World War II as a Communications Technician with the 3342 US Army Signal Service Company. He was based in the Middle East from April 1943 to January 1946. Oddo celebrated turning 101 years old this past August.
“In 1942, I graduated (from Batavia High School) and they passed the 18-year-old law back in ’42 late. It was in November, December. I got a notice in December, then I got inducted in January of ’43.”
After Basic Training in New Jersey, he went to Fort Monmouth to learn to be a communications technician.
“I took care of all the telephones, we kept the commanders informed, what was coming and when. They shipped me to the Middle East, and we dealt with Russia, we were always behind them pushing them, keeping people informed when the heavy equipment was coming.”
Oddo says he walks a mile every day. During nice weather he can be found at Van Detta Stadium, during the winters he walks at City Centre.
“I tell my grankids, they got my genes, you gotta keep going don’t stop.”
Joe with his family at the Glenn S. Loomis American Legion Post 332 on Tuesday afternoon. Joe married Frances in 1949, and they had two children, Sal and Marianne. They have five grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.