Maurice Regignano

Maurice Regignano (Mo), 94 of Madison Heights, died from a stroke on July 16, 2016 at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born on August 5, 1921 in Hamman Lif, Tunisia to Miro and Louisa Regignano. Maurice had four siblings Ange, Rosette, Lucien and Tino. He married his beloved wife Marie Sara of 66 years on August 27, 1947 in Hamman Lif, Tunisia. They had two children Emile and Michel. Emile passed away at the age of 6 months in 1949.

He attended high school in Tunisia. In 1940 he was forced to escape the German invasion of Tunisia. He joined the Free French Army and served 5 years through the North African, Italian, French and German campaigns. He fought in many famous battles and took part in the liberation of the Bergen Belsen concentration camp.

After the war he worked for the French government as a horse breeder. He immigrated to the US in 1957 where he initially worked on a farm, took night classes to become a draftsman and finished his career at GE till his retirement in 1984. He achieved several patents during his 25 years at GE.

He will be remembered for his love of life, an adventurer, fearless, a jokester, and his crazy antics. He adored fishing, the ocean, a foodie and most of all a loving father, husband, brother and grandfather. We grieve at his passing but know that his memory will live on forever. He was a pillar in our family and his loss can never be replaced.

He is survived by his son Michel of Arlington VA;, his three grandchildren, Marc Regignano, Joel Regignano and Lena Mobin; his great grandchild Maurice Regignano (Little Mo); his adoptive daughters, Huda Ben and Barbara Haber; his sister Rosette Guedj and brother Lucien Regignano; his nephews and nieces Vivian Mays, Linda Hudson, and Ricky Guedj.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Craddock Terry Hotel in Lynchburg, on Saturday, July 30, 2016. The family will receive guests from 11:30 a.m. and a ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m.. Everyone is invited to share any story or special memory of Maurice.