John Fredrick Tapio, Jr.

John Fredrick Tapio, Jr., 77, husband of Johanna Runey Tapio of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away at his home on Thursday, October 25, 2012 after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. The relatives and friends of John Tapio, Jr. are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 in Stella Maris Catholic Church, Sullivan's Island at 11:00 am. Prayers of Final Commendation and farewell will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. The family will receive friends at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL on Monday, October 29, 2012 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm.

John was born on July 1, 1935 on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, son of the late John F. Tapio, Sr. and the late Bertha Leppert Tapio. Johnny grew up on Sullivan's Island and attended Sullivan's Island Elementary School, Moultrie and Bishop England High Schools. He served in the South Carolina National Guard for eight years and was associated with the Civil Defense during the Cuban Missile Crisis. John, a real "Island Boy" and an avid creek enthusiast, enjoyed fishing, shrimping, oystering, crabbing, and hunting. He knew all the creeks from Sullivan's Island to Capers and beyond. He loved his garden and always took pride in his beautiful yard with many fruit trees he planted. Other hobbies included the game of golf and bowling. Employed by Geer Drug Company for thirty-three years and then with Solomon's Drug Company and Smith Drug Company. He retired as a top Pharmaceutical Salesman in South Carolina. He cherished the many close friendships he made with his loyal customers and fellow co-workers.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of fifty-seven years, Johanna Runey Tapio of Mt. Pleasant, SC; eight children, Susan Breland and her husband Steve, Anna Maria Pitts and her husband Donnie, John Tapio and his wife, Theresa, Patricia Tapio, Christina Penninger and her husband, Walter, Barbara Whiteheart, Melisa Fort and her husband, Brian, and Julie Tapio; thirty grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, Louise Huff and her husband, Ed, Helen Albrecht, Linda Gambrell and her husband Gene, brother-in-law Gus Salvo and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Barbara Salvo and two brothers, Walter and Douglas Tapio.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Stella Maris Catholic Church, 1204 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482 or All Saints Lutheran Church Respite Care of Charleston, 405 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403.