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Alexander (Alec) DiZazzo

Alec DiZazzo

Summary

  • b. 5 Jan 1920, Lawrence, Essex County, Massachusetts.
  • son of Angelo Di Zazzo (1894-1967) and Mary Di Zazzo (1898-1975).
  • 1st m. 10 May 1946, Louise Susi (d. 1946).
    2nd m. 16 Sep 1951, Josephine Catalano (1923-2001), Holy Rosary Church, Lawrence, Mass.
  • two daughters:
    1. Mary DiZazzo
      m. David Trumbull
    2. Cheryl DiZazzo.
  • d. 26 Oct 2010, at home, Methuen, Essex County, Massachusetts.
  • buried, 29 October 2010, Elmwood Cemetery (Cypress St., Lot #255), Methuen, Mass.

Details

    On Tuesday, 26 October 2010 Alec DiZazzo passed peacefully in his sleep at home, aged 90 years, 9 months, and 21 days. This death notice appeared in the Eagle Tribune (North Andover) of Thursday, 28 October and the Post-Gazette (Boston) of Friday, 29 October 2010.

    A grave-side funeral was conducted on Friday, 29 October 2010 at the Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen, with Roman Catholic Rites. The military honor guard of two servicemen included a bugler who played Taps and the ceremonial folding of the American Flag which was given to Alec's daughter Mary with the following words:

    "This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service."

    David Trumbull delivered these remarks on the life and character of Mr. DiZazzo. At the request of his daughter, Mary, the poem Summum Bonum by Robert Browning, a favorite of Alec's was read. David and Mary took these photos of the funeral.

    Mary DiZazzo-Trumbull published this tribute to her father which appeared in the November 19, 2010 issue of the (Boston) Post-Gazette. Claire Parthum wrote this tribute to her neighbor.

    Wedding of Alec DiZazzo and Josephine Catalano

    On 16 September 1951 Alec Di Zazzo married Josephine Catalano at Holy Rosary Church, Lawrence, Massachusetts, according the rite of the Roman Catholic Church, Francis Di Matteo officiating, in the presence of Paul Upson and Lucy Upson, witnesses. The record shows it was the second marriage of the groom who was a widower residing at 61 Oak Street, Methuen and the first of the bride who was residing at 144 Garden Street, Lawrence.

    In spring of 1946 Alec DiZazzo married Louise Susi; she died ten weeks later of spinal meningitis and steph throat. They had met in grammar school.

    After his military service Alec DiZazzo attended night school at Lawrence High School three nights a week for five years and was awarded a high school diploma.

    On 15 May 1945 Private First Class Alec E DiZazzo was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the following Citation:

    Private First Class Alec E. DiZazzo, 20117548, Quartermaster Company, 26th Quartermaster Company, 26th Infantry Division, United States Army. For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Bernreid, Germany, on 25 April 1945. While proceeding along a road in the vicinity of Bernreid, Private First Class DiZazzo, a 26th Quartermaster Company driver, came under fire, Private First Class DiZazzo sprang from his vehicle, dove beneath the body of the truck and opened counterfire on the enemy. Although wounded in the left arm, he maintained his fire, wounding one of his foes and driving the others deeper into the woods. Just before the enemy withdrew, Private First Class DiZazzo was again wounded, this time being knocked unconscious. On regaining consciousness and finding his vehicle would not operate, he walked, despite his wounds, to the installations of a friendly regiment, reported the location of his truck and received medical treatment. His courage under fire, strong initiative and loyal devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class DiZazzo and the armed forces of the United States.
    By command of Major General PAUL:
    /s/
    C.A. Hileman, Lt. Col. AGD Adjutant General

    On 16 December 1939 Alec E Di Zazzo enlisted in the army and entered active service 16 January 1941. He served in the 26 Yankee Division, 3rd Army. He was discharged 30 September 1945 from the army as private first class. He was a light truck driver who served in northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star. He was wounded 27 April 1945, in Europe.

    The Lawrence City Directory for 1939 lists Alex DiZazzo, residing at 232 Elm St. and employed at the Ayer Mill.

    In 1936 Alexander Di Zazzo completed eighth grade at the Oliver School in Lawrence.

    Alexander, Angelo, Mary, and Joseph DiZazzo

    1930 U.S. Census shows (on line #48) Angelo DiZazzo, age 34, dwelling at 232 Elm Street, Lawrence, having arrived in America in 1914 [should be 1912], still an alien, working as a mechanic in a garage, along with wife Mary (age 30) who had arrived in America in 1907 and had filed citizenship papers but had not yet been naturalized, working as a twister in a woolen mill. The record also shows children:

    On 21 July 1920 Alexander Di Zazzo was baptised at Holy Rosary Church, Lawrence, Massachusetts, by The Rev. Fr. McNulty, OSA; his godparents were Joseph Marcone and Anna Feola.

    On 5 January 1920 Alexander DiZazzo was born to Angelo DiZazzo and Maria DiZazzo but was not recorded until 25 July 1949.

Photos

Notes

    According to Alec, he worked, in the the late 1930s with his mother Mary DiZazzo as a bobbin setter at the Ayer Mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts

    This record last updated 10 May 2014 by D. Trumbull.