Vincent James
Rinaldi passed away quietly July 7, 2013, surrounded by his
family at his daughter’s home in Piqua, Ohio. Jim, as he was known to
friends and family, was 93 years old at the time of his passing. He had
lived with his loving wife of 69 years Ella Mae [Boyd] Rinaldi in Bolivar,
MO for the past 17 yrs. He often stated “My wife is my
life”. Vince was
the beloved husband of Ella Mae and beloved father of: Tela M. Isik with her spouse Ozer, Janet M Aguilar with her spouse Gerald and James B. Rinaldi
with his spouse Tonya. He was the proud grandfather of 8 grandchildren:
Deniz J Isik, Suzan M Isik, Gregory F Loper, Danielle M Rinaldi, Tyler A
Loper, James Evan Rinaldi, Aidan B Rinaldi and Leobarda M Aguilar, and 3
great grandchildren: Christian T Stonebraker, Jaelin E Stonebraker and
Nicholas K Isik. He also leaves 2 great-nieces; April Demaso and Dawn
Bellamy and their respective families.
Vince was born in New York City and always considered himself a native
New
Yorker. He was a decorated WWII combat veteran, serving in the Pacific
campaign in Burma, India, and China, with the US Army as a combat medic
(1942-1946). His military awards included 3 Battle Stars, 2 Bronze Stars,
American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal
and WWII Victory medal.
Vince graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in
Electrical Engineering. He began his career designing electrical power
plants for Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, Oregon before taking
a position with Westinghouse Electric Corp in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Vince
was Manager in Transmission & Distribution Technical Information, for 28
years at Westinghouse, retiring in 1982. He lived in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
for 42 yrs before moving to Bolivar Missouri in 1996. He was a proud member
of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
He was a
first generation American who loved his country. He overcame many advertises
during his lifetime, was extremely generous and a great role model. He
strongly believed in “finishing what he started” and he lived his
life that
way. Jim enjoyed cooking for his family and playing golf. “To me ,
old age
is always 15 years older than I am.”
Friends may call at Pits Chapel Thursday, July 11, 2013, from 6:00 – 8:00
pm. Funeral service will be held in the
funeral home Friday, July 12, 2013, at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens, Springfield, Mo. If desired, donations in memory of Vince can be
made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts
Chapel Bolivar, MO.