Vincenzo J. "Jim" Cannarozzo

Vincenzo Cannarozzo, known by many of his fellow workers and friends as Jim, passed away peacefully with family at his bedside on November 16 at Mass General Hospital in Boston after a brief illness. He was ninety-nine years old. Vincenzo was a proud veteran of World War II and a distinguished member of the Eighty-Fourth Infantry Division, known as the Railsplitters, which served under General Patton and the Third Army. He received the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, the World War Two Victory Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge First Award, the Honor Service Lapel Button for World War Two and the Sharpshooter Badge with rifle qualification.

Vincenzo landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy in early November of nineteen forty-four, five months after the D-Day invasion. His division immediately entered combat and took part in the assault on the Siegfried Line near Geilenkirchen in Germany. He later played an important part in the Battle of the Bulge, helping to halt the German advance into Belgium and Luxembourg. The division endured two relentless weeks of marching through freezing temperatures and brutal weather in order to stop the enemy offensive. Afterward, his unit pushed forward to the Roer River and eventually reached the Rhine. Vincenzo later volunteered for a special assignment to help liberate Jewish prisoners at Auschwitz. The scenes he witnessed there were horrors beyond description and they remained with him for the rest of his life.

It is almost impossible to comprehend what Vincenzo accomplished as an eighteen-year-old soldier. He earned the nickname the BAR Ghost. The BAR, which stood for Browning Automatic Rifle, was a light machine gun used to provide suppressive fire for infantry units. Vincenzo showed remarkable ingenuity with the weapon. He removed the bipod to make it lighter, allowing him to move more quickly between firing positions. By constantly shifting locations he protected both himself and his platoon from enemy fire.

He also removed the first round from each twenty-round magazine to prevent jamming, a common and sometimes deadly problem for many BAR gunners. A jam at the wrong moment could cost American soldiers their lives. His mechanical instinct and his ability to adapt equipment to the needs of the battlefield made him an exceptional infantryman.

After the war Vincenzo married his longtime sweetheart Mary Iovanna. Together they raised two daughters, Maryann and Linda. Even after Mary passed away eleven years ago, Vincenzo continued to celebrate their wedding anniversary every year.

Vincenzo was an exceptionally versatile and talented individual, especially when working with mechanical devices of every kind. With a piece of wood he could create furniture of such beauty and craftsmanship that it could not be found in any store. His wide range of skills came from the many jobs he held throughout his life. He worked as a machinist, managed a leather coat factory and owned a laundry business on Broadway in Revere. After selling the business he took the civil service exam and became a custodian for the Revere Public Schools, where he served for twenty-five years. He was appointed head custodian because of his outstanding test score.

As a custodian he achieved two honors unmatched by anyone else in the district. At an elementary school one year the students decided that he should receive the yearly book that usually went to the best teacher of the year. They would not take no for an answer. They believed it should be dedicated to Mr. Cannarozzo because of his exceptional care and commitment to every teacher, administrator and student. He treasured that yearbook all of his life.

His second achievement came during the construction of the Beachmont Elementary School. While the building was being completed, Vincenzo carefully read the entire contract between the City of Revere and the construction vendor. Because he knew every detail, he noticed that the vendor was attempting to remove unused materials from the site. The contract required that all unused materials be returned to the city, and Vincenzo refused to allow anything to be taken that did not belong to the vendor. His vigilance saved the city thousands of dollars. Although his job title was custodian, in reality he was a true facility manager who oversaw maintenance, repairs, preventive care, cleaning and grounds keeping.

When he retired he wrote a letter to the School Committee expressing how proud he had been to serve as a custodian for the Revere Public Schools. His message was so heartfelt and inspiring that it was remembered for many years. Some School Committee members even kept copies of his original letter because it was so unique and meaningful.

Vincenzo enjoyed spending time with his family, especially during the holidays. He always prepared meals fit for a king. Whenever someone in the family faced a problem he was always there to help. He was a first-generation American born in Charlestown, Boston. His parents had migrated from Sicily in search of a better life. Vincenzo embraced every opportunity this country offered him and truly lived the American dream. There was never a challenge too difficult for him to overcome. His determination and his unwavering desire to always do the right thing were legendary.

In nineteen forty-four, as a young soldier in a foxhole in Europe, Vincenzo could never have imagined the life he would live or the lives he would touch. Throughout his years he made the world around him better through courage, kindness, hard work and an unshakeable sense of duty. If you spoke to the people who knew him, they would tell you that he succeeded. He will be missed by all.

He was the son of the late Guiseppe Cannarozzo and Guiseppa (Sabbia) Cannarozzo. Vincenzo "Jim" Cannarozzo passed away suddenly on November 16th. He was the beloved husband of 64 years to the late love of his life Mary Iovanna. He leaves behind a loving daughter MaryAnn Cifuni and her husband Gennaro Cifuni. He was the father of his beautiful second child, the late Linda Monaco. He also leaves behind his dear sweet sister Rosalie Klause, his late brothers and sisters, Josephine Lusso, Fanny, Nino, Lucy and Anthony Cannarozzo along with his late stepmother Vincenza Cannarozzo. He was the special grandfather of Christopher Cifuni, Justin Cifuni, James Monaco and wife Jennifer, Anthony Monaco and wife Crystal, Joseph, Michael and Matthew Monaco. He leaves behind five great-grandchildren Cole Cifuni, Francesca, Delilah, Anthony and Javi Monaco. Uncle Jimmy will be missed by his special nephews, Cliff, Ron and Joseph Lusso and Rob Klause along with his sweet niece Robin Joss all of whom he loved.