Arthur A. Oratorio

Born: 12/10/1935
Died: 9/2/2012

Mr. Arthur A. Oratorio, known fondly as “Art,” age 76, of Newark, DE, formerly of Chicago and New York, lost his courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, September 2, 2012, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, on December 10, 1935, Mr. Oratorio was the son of the late Arthur Oratorio, Sr. and Rosaria “Rose” Pino Oratorio. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in physics and, as a young man, proudly served his country in the US Army Reserve.
Mr. Oratorio enjoyed a diverse career in information technology as a regional manager and director of IBM, Service Bureau Corporation, and Control Data Corporation. A strong proponent of promoting personal development and professional staffing and training in the corporate environment, he made major contributions in creating two pioneering programs, the Personal Management System (PMS) and the Goal Objective Strategy Planning Action System (GOSPA). Most recently, he served as the president and CFO of Video Showplace, a well-known, family-operated video rental chain in Delaware.
In his leisure hours, Mr. Oratorio relished difficult home improvement projects and the challenges of day trading stocks. He was also a keen student of music, art, and literature. A devoted husband and father above all else, he delighted in large, joyous family gatherings and spending time with his precious granddaughter.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Joyce A. Silverblatt Oratorio; daughter, Lisa A. Oratorio-Kisner (Edgar A.) of Newark; sisters, Angelina Oratorio of Wilmington, Anna Oratorio of Wilmington, and Rita Harvey (Carl) of Newark; and granddaughter, Lauren B. Kisner. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Anthony, Robert, and Richard Oratorio.
A funeral service will be held at 6 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, where visitation will begin at 4 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Oratorio may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, c/o Christiana Care, P.O. Box 1668, Wilmington, DE 19899.
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