He enlisted in the United States Army on March 11, 1941 and was a proud veteran of World War II. His battles included 2nd wave Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Rhineland and Central Europe. Among his most heroic acts was his participation in the liberation of holocaust victims from Nazi Concentration Camps. He was a brave and loyal soldier earning many medals. One of his medals, The Silver Star, is the United States Armed Force’s third highest personal decoration for valor in combat. He was honorably discharged from the Army on October 12, 1945.
After he returned from the war, he met and married the love of his life, Ida. They had three children together. He spent many of his next years traveling for his construction superintendent job at Darrin and Armstrong and supervising many large projects such as the building of the St. Louis Arch. He loved to bowl in his free time and perfected his skills to bowl a perfect game.
Volunteering his time was something he loved to do, whether it was being an usher at church, fundraising, selling poppies for his VFW post or collecting food for the church pantry, just to name a few. He loved collecting coins, teaching and playing rummy with his grandchildren and having them over for Snowball Pasta (pasta with the cauliflower).
He enjoyed every minute of his 100 plus years of life. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his 3 children: Peter Parrinello, Rosemary (George) Korodan and Sharon (Mike) Castellana, his seven grandchildren: Nicole (Mike) Mete, Christina (Paul) Daly, Ryan Korodan, Michael Castellana, Lauren Korodan, Daniella (Tino) Guerra, Samuel Parrinello, and his 6 great grandchildren: Sampson, Gianna, Giuliana, Michael, Joseph, and Ava.
He was predeceased by his siblings and their spouses, Lena (Peter) Parrinello, Jessie Bucci, James (Betty) Parrinello, Mary (Mike) Barracco, and Jenny (Jim) Iannazzo.
Instate 9:30 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at St. Paul of Tarsus Catholic Church, 41300 Romeo Plank, Clinton Township. The funeral Mass will follow at 10am with Military Honors to follow. Entombment at Resurrection Cemetery, following mass, 18201 Clinton River Road, Clinton Township. Arrangements entrusted to Resurrection Funeral Home.