Vincent G. Yacobozzi

Gaetano Vincenzino Iacobozzi, also known as Vincent G. Yacobozzi, 93, died at his home in Amherst on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010.

One of the last of the Greatest Generation, Vince was born on Dec. 8, 1916 in Montenero, Italy, to Giacomo and Candida (nee DiFilippo) Iacobozzi. In addition to his parents, Vince was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Anne I. (nee Toth) Yacobozzi in October, 2009, sisters Adela DeArcangelis and Dina DiFilippo, a niece, Anna Marie DeArcangelis and most recently, his nephew, Leonard A. Yacobozzi.

In 1936, at the age of 19, he came to the United States. He was drafted into the United States Army Air Corps on Feb. 2, 1942, and served as a staff sergeant with the 13th Air Force in the South Pacific for three of his four military years. He was engaged in the invasion of Guadalcanal in August, 1942, the Northern Solomon Islands, the Dutch Indies, New Guinea and the Philippines. He flew 15 combat missions as a gunner in a B-24 Bomber before four bouts with malaria grounded him. His military awards include Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Ribbon/Medal and Philippino Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star.

As one of the oldest members and a Life Member, Vince, served the Italian American Veterans Post #1, Lorain, Ohio, for more than 48 years and was an outstanding member and past chairman of the IAV Color Guard. He participated in Veterans Day, Pearl Harbor Day, Iwo Jima Day, Memorial Day and Lorain's International Festival ceremonies as well as countless military funerals with the IAV Color Guard. He served as an honorable member of Amvets, Post 47, Lorain, Ohio, a Lifetime Member of the V.F.W., Post 451, Lorain, Ohio, chaplain of the Lorain Veterans Council, Lorain Senior Fellowship Club, a charter member of the National World War II Memorial Association and was named Veteran of the Year in 2002 by the Lorain Veterans Council. In April, 2007, at the age of 90, Vince was installed as a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, the highest rank in the organization.

At age 87, this proud World War II veteran got to see his place in history marked as he stood beside other veterans and saluted the long-awaited World War II Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C. honoring The Greatest Generation. Vince often said, "This memorial represents the freedoms we have today and to never take it for granted because there may come a day when we don't have those freedoms."

Employed as a metallurgist with U.S. Steel Corp. for 37 years, Vince retired in 1979. Throughout his wonderful life, Vince made sure he gave back to his community and fellow veterans by visiting with veterans in the Brecksville Veterans Hospital and the Solders and Sailors Home in Sandusky, Ohio. He also made a point to visit the children's orphanage in Oberlin, Ohio, donating bicycles and other toys to the children, and donated his time to the Lorain Catholic Center preparing meals for those in need.

As a devout Roman Catholic, Vince served as a member of the Holy Name Society, an usher and adult altar server at the Church of St. Peter, Lorain, Ohio, as well as always participating in various fundraisers and events. He was a charter member of the Montenero Club, Lorain, Ohio.

Vince enjoyed golfing, bowling, traveling to Florida, Arizona and Italy, the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Browns, the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Mount Union Purple Raiders.

He is survived by his brothers, Enio (Hazel) Yacobozzi of Dublin, Ohio, Timo (Nancy) Iacobozzi of Griffith, Ind., three sons, Dennis Yacobozzi (Marty) of Westerville, Ohio, Kenneth Yacobozzi (Ellen) of Grafton, Ohio, Ronald Yacobozzi (Natalie) of Amherst, a daughter, Candita Trott (Craig) of Columbus, Ohio, seven grandsons, Denny (Eleana) Yacobozzi, Dominic Yacobozzi, Matthew Yacobozzi (friend Kristin Bock), Anthony Yacobozzi, Christopher (Connie) Yacobozzi, Nicholas Yacobozzi and Nathan Shubick, and numerous nephews, great nephews, nieces and great nieces throughout Italy, France and the United States.

The family received friends on Friday, Jan. 15 at the Reidy Scanlan Giovannazzo Funeral Home, 2150 Broadway, Lorain, Ohio. A memorial service was conducted by the Knights of Columbus followed by a Rosary Service by the Church of St. Peter Holy Name Society and then Words of Remembrance/Eulogy. Closing prayers were at the funeral home on Saturday followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of St. Peter, 3655 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, Ohio, with Fr. Chuck Henkle, O.F.M. Conv., officiating; Fr. Robert Glepko, Concelebrant; and Deacon Ralph Krupp. Entombment was at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, where full military honors were conducted by the Italian American Veterans Post #1 and the United States Army. Memorial contributions may be made to Church of St. Peter Capital Campaign, 3655 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, Ohio, 44053 and/or Catholic Charities, 203 West 8th Street, Lorain, Ohio, 44052. Online condolences may be sent using www.rsgfuneralhome.com.