Ovidio Pugnale

Colonel (Ret.) Ovidio Pugnale, 91, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2025—his and beloved wife Valentine’s 68th wedding anniversary. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pietro and Mercedes Pugnale, and siblings, Argia Showalter (Pugnale) and Frank Pugnale. He is survived by Valentine and their sons: Peter, Mark, John (Marlene), and Joseph (Lynn); and grandchildren: Siena (Andrew), Cooper, Owen, Steven (and fiancée), Anthony (Anna), Alyssa, Audrey, and Andrew.

“Familia” being important to Ovidio, there is a longer list of surviving relatives, including back in Udine, and close friends throughout the country that are just too numerous to list but deserve acknowledgement. He truly loved all to include Joan Pugnale, Laura Brandon, David (Diane) Moreton, Charlotte Green, many nieces and nephews, the Our Lady Queen of Peace parish members, the “Red Grotto” crew, all of the employees in business ventures, and his “walkers.”

Ovidio was born in Northern Italy in 1933. To escape the German invasion, his father—a WWI veteran and POW escapee—brought the family to the U.S., settling in Canton, Ohio where he was an all-county basketball player at East Canton High School. In 1951, Ovidio worked in a brick yard before enrolling at Kent State University. During the Korean War, he joined ROTC and the Aviation Cadet Program, beginning a 26-year career in the U.S. Air Force.

Known as “Pug,” he graduated in the top three of his Navigator School class and was assigned to McGuire AFB, flying regularly to Frankfurt. He later trained as a pilot and served as a B-52 Co-Pilot at Wright-Patterson AFB (WPAFB), completing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Omaha. His service included assignments at Robins AFB, Puerto Rico, Vietnam (Army strategic targeting office), and SAC Headquarters at Offutt AFB. He earned a master’s degree from Auburn University while attending Air War College and returned to WPAFB as Commander of both the 34th Bomb Squadron and the 17th Bomb Wing, also serving as SAC liaison to the original B-1 bomber design team.

Promoted to Colonel in 1977, Ovidio served as Director of Operations at Seymour Johnson AFB and later returned to WPAFB as Director of Computer Operations. He logged over 7,000 flying hours and received the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Joint Service and Air Force Commendation Medals before retiring in 1980.

Ovidio led several successful ventures from 1981–2013, including founding Image Memory Systems (IMS), a national leader in micrographics and engineering document conversion.

He later ran MVP Video Creations for a decade, helping families preserve memories through digital video.

As a young man Ovidio excelled at basketball and football. As an adult, he was an avid “bogie” golfer who passed on the love of the game to his sons and grandsons. Ovidio stayed active throughout his life, he could be found at local health clubs “near” the treadmills engaging patrons and staff with his B-52 stories. He developed a passion for running, walking, and “shuffling” which led to several completions of the 5k and 10k races in Dayton Dragons runs and the Air Force Marathon including 2018 at age 85 with John & Joe and 2019 at 86 with John & grandson Tony. He was an avid sports fan (Browns, Indians, Reds & Flyers) but the most important thing to him was laughing and spending time with his family, friends and grandchildren. Ovidio lived life as a loyal supporter of the Dayton-area sports teams as an inaugural Dayton Dragons Season Ticket holder and over 30 years with the Dayton Flyers. He faithfully supported all of his grandchildren’s efforts in hockey, basketball, football, baseball, volleyball, and swimming in attendance in and around Beavercreek, Springboro, and Manhattan Beach.

Ovidio and Val propped up the local economy by making regular stops at all of the best eateries in the Dayton Area. They thoroughly enjoyed the dining out experiences while interacting with servers, staff, and friends. Ovidio was meticulous in taking care of his cars over the years – “GTO’s”, Corvettes, Cadillacs (especially the “old grey mare”), Pug’s Bug, to name a few. In his spare time, he tinkered in the garage, mostly “repairing” extension cords, and re-landscaping his yard every time the varmints dug up his flowers.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at WPAFB Hospital, Hillspring of Springboro, Traditions of Beavercreek, and Ohio Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion. A special thank you to Dayton Flyers and Dayton Dragons organizations for honoring Ovidio during veterans of the game recognitions.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to a veteran support organization of your choice or to Ohio Hospice.

A visitation will be held on Monday, August 18, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Tobias Funeral Home Beavercreek Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, starting at 9:00 am at the Prairie Chapel (WPAFB-Page Manor). A burial will follow at Valley View Memorial Gardens in Xenia, Ohio.