John Joseph Criscione

John Joseph ?Jay? Criscione, Jr., 61, of 118 Saks Ave. in Lexington, died Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at Lexington Medical Center. Funeral services will be 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 1 at First Baptist Church of Chester with Rev. Joe Roberts officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. A native of Chester, SC, Mr. Criscione was the son of Juanita Ramsey Criscione and the late John Joseph Criscione, He was the Executive Director of the Lexington County Recreation & Aging Commission for the past 23 years of his 36-year career with the Commission. Mr. Criscione directed the Commission through extraordinary growth for renovation and new construction of recreation facilities. During his tenure, he had the ability to ?think outside the box? relating to recreation improvements and opportunities for the citizens of Lexington County. He built three community leisure centers, the Pine Grove and Oak Grove sports complexes, two equestrian facilities, an award winning tournament tennis complex, multiple senior centers, and baseball and soccer facilities across the county. He was a pioneer in the state at recognizing the economic impact of youth and adult recreation tournaments for both Lexington County and the Midlands. He is inducted into the South Carolina USSSA and voted into the National USSSA Hall of Fame. He worked with over 30 different members of Lexington County Council and five County Administrators during his career. Mr. Criscione graduated from Clemson University in December 1972 with a degree in Recreation and Parks Administration. He loved classical music and was an accomplished pianist and was also an avid golfer and fisherman Surviving is his mother, Juanita R. Criscione of Chester; daughter, Ramsey (Trent) Goodman of Lexington; sister, Paulette Criscione of Lexington; 2 grandchildren, Elliott Goodman and Tinsley Goodman, both of Lexington. He was preceded in death by one brother, Richard B. Criscione in August, 2007. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Barron Funeral Home, 133 Wylie Street, Chester, SC 29706. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Chester, P. O. Box 518, Chester, SC 29706 or Hospice Care of Tri County, Chemo with Style, 166 Stone Ridge Drive, Columbia, SC 29210. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.