William J. “Billy” Olenio, 60, of Haverhill, passed away Sept. 9, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer at his home with his loving family and best friend Timothy Perkins gathered around him.
Born in Haverhill, he was the son of the late Ernest A. and Joan (Driscoll) Olenio. Raised and educated in Haverhill, he attended St. James Grammar School, Haverhill Trade School and was a graduate of Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, class of 1974. Olenio was a talented Union carpenter, Local 33 in the Boston area for more than 30 years. He was such a talented craftsman that he was selected and pulled off of union jobs for special and private finished carpentry projects. He built his own home and always had many projects that he loved to work on. He loved fishing, hunting, his garden, woodworking and cooking, but most of all he loved his family, friends and hunting dogs. Olenio was a member of the Garibaldi Club in Haverhill and had many great friends there. He also loved horse racing and visiting Saratoga each year.
Olenio is survived by his daughter, Nicole M. Olenio-Blackshire and her husband Dana of Newton; sister, Jeneen A. Olenio; brothers, Ernest E. Olenio, Edmund J. Olenio and John P. Olenio, all of Haverhill; grandson, Ashton William Blackshire; three nephews, Christopher, Anthony and Joey Olenio; and niece, Angela Olenio. He was predeceased by his father Ernest Olenio and his mother Joan (Driscoll) Olenio. The Olenio and Blackshire Families express their appreciation and sincere thanks to Massachusetts General Hospital, John Opolski (Olenio’s infusion nurse) and Care Dimensions Hospice for their tremendous care and compassion.
Family and friends are invited to calling hours Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 4 to 7 p.m., at Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. The Olenio and Blackshire families ask that you please consider making a donation to pancan.org in William Olenio’s name in lieu of flowers.