Enio Yacobozzi's Obituary
Enio Ostilio Yacobozzi, in his 101st year, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2021, with his daughters at his side. Enio was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Hazel (Deidrick), son Leonard, parents Giacomo and Candida (Di Filippo), brothers Vincent and Timo, sisters Adele and Dina. Enio is survived by daughers Kathleen Cassandra and Lori (William Dulin); grandchildren Meghan (Thomas Travis), Meredith Cassandra, Molly (Kevin Cox), Michael (Allison) Cassandra, Rocco Yacobozzi, Rachel Yacobozzi; great-granchildren Giuseppe Petrella, Lucy Cassandra, Cameron Travis, Josephine Cox, Benjamin Travis, Edith Cassandra; many beloved nieces and nephews (including those in Italy), cousins, steadfast friends, and his incredibly compassionate caregivers Christine Warren, Roxy Thompson, and Darlene Williams.
Enio was born on June 10, 1920, in Montenero, Italy, as the fourth of five siblings. He emigrated to the United States through Elllis Island, New York, on April 10, 1939, and made passage to Lorain, Ohio, to join his father, Giacomo, and brother, Vincent. He was drafted into the United States Army (while a dual citizen of the United States and of Italy) on November 19, 1941, in the midst of World War II. Enio served in the 178th Field Artillery – 5th Army under Generals George Patton and Mark Clark in Africa, Scotland, England, and Italy. Enio was awarded the Bronze Star, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Perhaps his most distinguished military act was his unit’s liberation of his hometown of Montenero, Italy, where he was afforded the opportunity to cross military lines to see his mother and young brother, Timo, prior to the battle that freed his hometown from Nazi occupiers who had actually seized his family’s farm home. Enio was honorably discharged on September 28, 1945.
Enio married Hazel Deidrick on August 2, 1947. Together, they founded Yacobozzi Plastering, Inc., and he became a well-known craftsman. Many beautiful homes, churches, and commercial buildings exist today as a tribute to his workmanship, the art of plastering, and his desire to create lasting beauty.
In 1988, Enio and Hazel left their beloved northeastern Ohio community and joined their daughters and their families in central Ohio. Enio embraced new opportunities, even coming out of retirement to be a friendly face at Kroger in Dublin, and made new and lasting friendships. A lifelong Catholic, he continued to attend daily Mass at St. Brendan the Navigator in Hilliard. He was an active member of the City of Hilliard Senior Center where he exercised and socialized several times a week. Enio had decades of active, engaging, and happy times and remained independent and in his home, even after Hazel’s passing on August 25, 2012.
Private funeral and burial services were held on April 24, 2021, at Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Center in Amherst and St. Peter Parish and Calvary Cemetery in Lorain, with family and close friends in attendance. Contributions in honor of Enio’s life and impact may be made to Our Lady of Bethlehem School and Childcare at 4567 Olentangy River Road, Columbus OH 43214 or City of Hilliard: Senior Center 3810 Veterans Memorial Drive, Hilliard OH 43026.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dovinreberjones.com
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