1917
Ezio
2013
Ezio Fontanella
October 21, 1917 — May 31, 2013
Ezio Fontanella, 95, of Greensburg passed away on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Excela Health, Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg. Born on October 21, 1917 in Greensburg, Ezio was a son of the late Frances (Forzani) Fontanella and Charles Fontanella, both born in Masserano, Italy. Ezio was a loving husband, a kind and generous friend. He served in the US Army from 1942-1945, initially in the Aleutian Islands, and then in the 507th parachute infantry regiment of the 82nd and 17th airborne divisions. He made parachute jumps into France and Germany and participated the Battle of the Bulge. He received a Purple Heart. Ezio worked for the post office for 21 years and was a former commander of the Greensburg Amvets. Before serving in WW2, Ezio worked with his father as Fontanella and Son, providing stonework/masonry for roads and bridges in Westmoreland, Somerset and Union counties. At Westmoreland Glass, he met his future wife and later served with her brother in the army. As a child, Ezio and siblings attended the Presbyterian Mission in Greensburg which later became Calvary Presbyterian Church and still later, Maplewood Presbyterian Church.
Ezio was also preceded in death by his wife of 38 yrs, Rozella Todaro Fontanella; his sister, Florida, wife of the late Peter Gazze of Greensburg; and brother Dante Fontanella, husband of the late Elizabeth Greco of Camarillo CA. He is survived by his sister, Rita, wife of Marion G. Spencer of Hanover PA, cousins Mary Louise and Sylvia Fontanella of Greensburg and Oscar Forzani of Dumont NJ, and several nieces and nephews. Family and friends will be received Monday, June 3rd from 11 to 12pm at the KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home, 524 North Main Street Greensburg with services following at the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park with military honors provided by American Legion Post 981. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his memory to Westmoreland Manor, 2480 South Grande Blvd, Greensburg or to Excela Hospice, 134 Industrial Park Road, Greensburg 15601.
Ezio was also preceded in death by his wife of 38 yrs, Rozella Todaro Fontanella; his sister, Florida, wife of the late Peter Gazze of Greensburg; and brother Dante Fontanella, husband of the late Elizabeth Greco of Camarillo CA. He is survived by his sister, Rita, wife of Marion G. Spencer of Hanover PA, cousins Mary Louise and Sylvia Fontanella of Greensburg and Oscar Forzani of Dumont NJ, and several nieces and nephews. Family and friends will be received Monday, June 3rd from 11 to 12pm at the KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home, 524 North Main Street Greensburg with services following at the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park with military honors provided by American Legion Post 981. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his memory to Westmoreland Manor, 2480 South Grande Blvd, Greensburg or to Excela Hospice, 134 Industrial Park Road, Greensburg 15601.
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