Harry Dan Voltolini, 86

Harry Dan Voltolini, was born to Italian immigrants Faust and Josephine (Albertini) Voltolini on June 1, 1923, in Wallace. Harry passed away April 30, 2010, at the Silver Wood Good Samaritan in Silverton. 

After Harry’s birth, he joined his older brother, August (Gus) Voltolini, and together in Wallace they became devoted sons, protective brothers and quite the mischief makers!

Harry attended the Catholic Grade School and High School in Wallace, as well as a stint, at the Wallace Public High School to play sports. Harry graduated high school and attended the University of Idaho.

He bravely boarded the train at the Wallace Depot on his birthday in 1942 to serve his country in the United States Army Air Corp. His dream was to fly, and he wouldn’t be coming down any time soon.

Harry trained as a pilot in Salt Lake and Bakersfield, then to Boca Rotan for water hazard training followed by gunnery school. On missions he flew P51 C Model and the D Model one-man aircrafts with a machine gun in each wing and a “painted checker tail.”

Harry and his fellow comrades were featured on the cover of “Time/Life Magazine” in London upon leaving for the European Theater. Harry had remained in contact with these men. In 1945 when World War II was winding down, Harry returned to Wallace. He leased and worked several mines with his father and his brother.

Harry met and married a pretty nurse named Janet Peel on May 8, 1948, at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Wallace. They soon started their family, and “H. Voltolini Construction” business was begun and successfully operated until recently.

He originated and owned “Alpine Sales,” the first Coors distributorship in the Panhandle. Harry was a mentor to many young men wanting to learn and to work.

Harry continued to fly all his life logging many hours in his private helicopter enjoying the wilderness of the Northwest and flying Santa into the Silver Valley when Rudolf wouldn’t cooperate!

Harry and Janet built a home in Silverton to raise their eight children and a second home on Lake Coeur d’Alene where the family continues to spend wonderful summers.

Harry was very proud of the community of Wallace, giving support whenever he could to area projects — the Wallace swimming pool, Good Samaritan Silver Wood Village, Lookout Ski Hill, winter sport tracks where he and his son Steve would race snowmobiles as representatives for the Bombardier Ski doo manufacturers, movie productions and several public and private works for which he will be remembered. If you venture onto many of the mountains in this region, you will likely end up on a road built by Harry Voltolini.

Harry is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Suzanne and Ron Weiand of Spokane, Kathy and Herb Zanetti of Wallace, Janine and Steve Jones of Old Town, Marie and Matt Kleffner of Moscow, Ann and Dave Lavigne of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Lisa and Corey Millard of Silverton; 19 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beautiful wife of 58 years, Janet Voltolini; one daughter, Julianne Voltolini; one son, Steve Voltolini and one brother, Gus Voltolini. Harry leaves behind loyal nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He entertained us all and left us to ponder the untold tales.

Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 6, 2010, at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Wallace and Mass of the Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 7, 2010, at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Interment will be held following Mass at the Nine Mile Cemetery in Wallace. A reception will be held at the Shoshone Golf Club following graveside services and everyone is welcome.

The family wishes to express its deepest appreciation to Dr. Tony Branz and the dedicated and caring staff at the Silver Wood Good Samaritan Center in Silverton, who went out of their way to do everything they could providing wonderful care and compassion to all of us!

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Silver Wood Good Samaritan Center in Silverton.

You may sign Harry’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.

Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is entrusted with funeral arrangements.