Giovanni Dolce first appears in Painesville, Lake County, Ohio, in either 1917 or 1918. He was one of many Italians born in Montemaggiore Belsito, Sicily, who migrated to Painesville from Buffalo, New York. In America, Giovanni Dolce was known John Dolce.
Giovanni Dolce, son of Serafino Dolce and Anna Nicosia, was born on Wednesday, June 27, 1894, at Montemaggiore Belsito, Sicily. Giovanni married first, Carmella Nasca, daughter of Vincenzo Nasca and Rosa Dolce, on January 18, 1919, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Painesville, Ohio. Carmella passed away in 1924. Giovanni married second, Mamie M. Millonzi, daughter of Orazio Millonzi and Giovanna Gullo, on November 27, 1926, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Painesville, Ohio. Giovanni died on November 3, 1981, at Lake County Memorial Hospital, Painesville, Ohio, at age 87. His body was interred at Riverside Cemetery at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio.
1922 to 1924 were not kind to John Dolce and his family. In 1922, John’s wife Carmella was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery in April, 1922. In October, 1922, Carmella gave birth to twins. Four months later, both children died, on consecutive days, in February, 1923, of pneumonia. In January, 1924, Carmella again gave birth to twins. These children both passed away in July, 1924. Carmella, at age 27 years, died in December, 1924, from exhaustion. John Dolce entered 1925 a widower with two living children under five years of age.
Giovanni Dolce immigrated to the United States on September 9, 1913, at age 19. He was joining his brother, Francesco Dolce, in New York City. Giovanni registered for the military draft for World War One on June 5, 1917. He was living at Buffalo, New York. Giovanni became a citizen of the United States in 1926. He resided at Sanford Street, Painesville, Lake County, Ohio, when he was naturalized.
John Dolce was owner of John Dolce Construction Company until his retirement in 1966. He moved to Coral Gables, Florida, in 1966, after he retired. At the time of death, Giovanni resided at Sivon Drive, Painesville Township.
The known children of Giovanni Dolce and Carmella Nasca were as follows:
1. Seraphine J. Dolce was born on September 19, 1919, at Ohio. He died on June 23, 2003, at age 83. His body was interred at St. Mary Cemetery at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio.
2. Anna Dolce was born on August 5, 1921, at Ohio. She married Edward Kraholik. Anna died on January 23, 1975, at age 53. Her body was interred at Riverside Cemetery at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio.
3. Rosella Dolce was born on October 11, 1922, at Painesville, Ohio. She was the twin sister of Vincent. Rosella died on February 17, 1923, at her home, Sanford Street, Painesville, Ohio, of bronchial pneumonia. Her body was interred at St. Mary Cemetery at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio.
4. Vincent Dolce was born on October 11, 1922, at Painesville, Ohio. He was the twin brother of Rosella. Vincent died on February 16, 1923, at his home, Sanford Street, Painesville, Ohio, of bronchial pneumonia. His body was interred at St. Mary Cemetery at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio.
5. Russell Dolce was born on January 30, 1924, at Painesville, Ohio. He was the twin brother of Joseph. Russell died on July 29, 1924, at home, Sanford Street, Painesville, of bronchial pneumonia. His body was interred at St. Mary Cemetery at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio.
6. Joseph Dolce was born on January 30, 1924, at Painesville, Ohio. He was the twin brother of Russell. Joseph died on July 20, 1924, at home, Sanford Street, Painesville, Ohio, from convulsions. His body was interred at St. Mary Cemetery at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio.
The known children of Giovanni Dolce and Mamie M. Millonzi were as follows:
1. Russell O. Dolce was born on September 4, 1928. Russell died on April 22, 1994, at age 65.
2. Joanne Dolce was born about 1931. She married Nicholas Sopko.
3. Lucille Dolce was born about 1934. Lucille married David Luhta. She married second, Harold E. Heleen, about 1969.
4. Shirley Dolce was born about 1936. She married Philip Spiesman.
5. Joyce Dolce was born about 1937. Joyce married Carlson C. Hensel. She married second, Neil Leitch.
