Reno Mazzucchi

Former Deputy Commander Fort Bliss, Texas. Colonel Reno A. Mazzucchi, US Army, Retired, 88, passed away January 29 in El Paso. He was born April 16, 1920 in San Francisco, California, grew up in the Bay area, and attended the University of California at Berkeley where he received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1942. Colonel Mazzucchi was a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam. During WWII he served as a Combat Engineer in the Asiatic Pacific campaign in the battles for Eniwetok and Okinawa. From 1946 until his retirement in 1972, he served with his basic branch as an Air Defense Artilleryman. He attended the first Guided Missile Course at Fort Bliss in 1946 and the remainder of his service involved command, staff, and research and development assignments with guided missile activities. Significant senior assignments included Chief of Personnel (G-1) and Chief of Staff of the US Army Southern European Task Force in northern Italy for which he received the designation as Knight Officer of the Order of Merit from the Italian government. He retired as Deputy Commander, Fort Bliss, Texas. Following his retirement, he pursued several vocations and avocations including financial advisor and stock broker, senior high school teaching substitute, instructor for AARP's 55 Alive Mature Drivers, and sharpening his skill with the game of golf. He was pre-deceased by his brother Edwin Mazzucchi and is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Minetta; his sister Lorraine Schexnayder and husband Buzz of Sacramento, CA; two daughters, Carol A. Makvand and husband Paul of Carefree, AZ, and Connie M. Asquith and husband Roger of Red Bluff, CA; two sons, Michael R. and wife Linda of Manassas, VA, and Richard P. of Los Molinos, CA; five grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, four nieces, and two nephews. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge IV; a Sojourner, El Paso Chapter 74; a Hero of 76; Retired Officer Association; and Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 187. Visitation will be at Martin Central, 3839 Montana Avenue, Monday, February 2 from 5 to 7 PM. Memorial service will be at Fort Bliss Chapel #1, at 9:15 AM, Tuesday, February 3 followed by internment at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors. In memory of his father and brother, Reno requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be given to the American Cancer Society.