D-Day Veteran Takes Final Salute
Louis A. Campanelli passed away on April 29, 2017, in Winter Park, FL of natural causes. He was 99. Born January 14, 1918, in Conneaut, Ohio, Louis was drafted in 1941 and served as a Corporal in World War II, specializing in Communications for the U.S. Army. He was a part of the 1st Infantry Division, taking part in campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, the invasion of Normandy on (Easy Red) Omaha Beach on D-Day, the Rhineland, and the Ardennes. He enjoyed retelling old war stories, and often half-joked that it was his 5'4" frame that kept him alive as he stormed the shore on D- Day, making it safely to the top of a cliff. He was awarded five decorations during his time in the service, including Bronze and Silver Star Medals. After returning from war, he went to work for General Electric in Erie, PA where he met his future wife, Mary Shingle. They married January 14, 1946, and had one child, Rosalie. Louis longed for the warm, sunny skies and pristine beaches he discovered when stationed at Camp Blanding, and moved his family to Florida in 1957. He first worked as an electrician for Pan American in Cape Canaveral and later worked with the United States Post Office until his retirement. A self-described simple man, he rejected the term hero when accounting his days on the battlefield, noting he was simply "doing his job." His humbleness continued well into his later years according to his only granddaughter, Rhonda. "He always taught me that no matter what, the only thing I had at the end of the day was my word," she said. "It's a lesson well taught and one that has stuck with me through adulthood." Riding his bike while chatting with neighbors, watching old re-reruns of Hogan's Heroes, tinkering with projects in the garage, and enjoying the fruits of his wife's homemade cooking were among his favorite pastimes, she said. "But above all, his favorite place in time was with family," she said. He is survived by his wife, Mary; granddaughter Rhonda Shah and her spouse, Dr. Lawrence Shah; son-in-law Paul Markos, and sister Mabel Sockett. He was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings, and his daughter, Rosalie Markos. A service honoring his life will be held Tuesday, May 9 at 4:00pm in the chapel at Saint Margaret Mary; reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Haiti Outreach Ministry at Saint Margaret Mary, or to the Cornerstone Hospice Foundation.