John Julio Soldano, beloved father, devoted husband, master storyteller and renowned as the "King of Pies", passed away recently. He was born on July 22, 1947, at Providence Hospital in Washington D.C. to his loving parents, Catherine and Matthew Soldano. John's life journey was marked by a unique blend of humor, adventure and a deep commitment to spreading happiness while living graciously.
He was raised in Anacostia with his older brother and sister and was a happy child, who became an eternal peacemaker, despite a propensity for mischief. A proud altar boy, he nearly burned down his church during Christmas Eve mass with his mother singing in choir and his family in the pews. He went to Catholic school and despite his antics, the nuns so loved him they treated him to ice cream every recess while in a cast after breaking his patella.
He attended Gonzaga College High School, where he immediately became an impish challenge for the Jesuit priests. His humor coupled with desire to bring happiness to all around him resulted in his having to serve many “JUGs” (“justice under God”). Still, he graduated in the top of his class and went to Belmont Abbey College, where he once again became president of his fraternity and legendary for his school spirit, often leading his classmates in the school’s anthems. John continued to Georgetown Law, however he suffered a personal tragedy that led the poetic scholar to take the road less travelled. He explored the country and the world, then began teaching in Washington DC’s inner city schools.
Eventually, he moved to North Carolina, where John worked on Bald Head Island making quite an impression with the local eccentrics. Later, he travelled up the Cape Fear River and settled in Wilmington, where he opened his first bar, The 3 Penny Gallery. Inside were born so many of the stories he would later use to enrapt audiences of friends and family.
After a few years, John chose to return to Washington D.C. and took a position at the newly opened Kennedy Center. Drawn by the call of new horizons, he made his way to Boston, where he settled in the North End.
He put out an ad in a newspaper and his soulmate answered with a reply simply stating: “I am a good looker, good dancer and good talker.” She included a picture of her sister Theresa and her best friend Laraine eating lobster with her in Provincetown, circling her own face in the back in red.
John and Sheila Kane fell in love at the Daily Catch in the North End and Smokey, his golden retriever, heartily approved. Together, they opened a restaurant, Kane’s Grill, where they served the first white pizza in all of South Boston. Three years after getting married John found his purpose when he became the most loving father imaginable to his newborn son, John Loughrey Soldano.
The family moved briefly from Savin Hill in Dorchester to Wisconsin and Iowa, but settled back in Medford, Massachusetts where John and Sheila raised their son John and lived happily until his passing. John coached his son’s basketball teams and still enjoyed a bit of mischief when he snuck food and soft drinks to Johnny’s friends during a basketball camp at the college where he ran the food service.
A proud man, who had lived a full life before becoming a father, he had a story for every occasion and used them to entertain his guests at the dinner parties he loved to host. This is also where he gained his reputation as a master of pies - particularly his lemon chess and pumpkin (depending on the holiday) - which were always the centerpiece of any occasion.
He took every opportunity to provide festive joy and bring happiness to those around him, whether at home, work or even his local pizza shop. So loving was he, that as his age caught up with him, both his local mechanics (who he called “the boys”) and his favorite pizza place would walk him home to make sure he was safe and well.
The master storyteller, piemaker, entertainer and family man may have left us but he imparted his love and we have his stories that live on in us. John Julio Soldano will be dearly missed by his beloved wife Sheila Kane, son John Loughrey Soldano, daughter-in-law Kathy, grandchildren Luke, Liam and Leia, brother Matthew, sister Margaret, and all who sat at his table to raise a glass, but his spirit and love endure in our memories.
Rest in peace, John.
John’s Funeral will be held at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Saturday, February 3rd at 8:30 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Raphael Church, 512 High St., Medford, at 9:30 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday, February 2nd from 5 to 7 PM. Interment will be private.
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