Enrico Bramo Cessarini

SPRINGFIELD-Enrico B. Cessarini, 92, died June 23, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield,
MA. Born in Springfield on March 24, 1919 to the late Frank and Pia (Bastella) Cessarini, he was a proud veteran of the US Navy, serving during WWII on the battleship USS South Dakota, the ship which participated in almost every Pacific battle. He was the recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Service medal with 13 bronze stars, the American & European-African Middle Eastern Area Campaign medals and the Philippine Liberation medal with 2 bronze stars. But more valued than these battle stars is the Navy and Marine medal which was presented to him personally by Admiral W.F. Halsey at Tokyo Bay. Cab received the award for saving the lives of eighteen of his shipmates. During one of the battles, an explosion occurred on the ship. One of the ammunition store rooms became smoke-filled, and eighteen sailors were trapped. Cab, completely disregarding his own safety, entered the room and unlocked the magazine, thus freeing his badly burned mates. The citation further reads "By his courage and quick thinking, these men were able to escape before the magazine was completely flooded." He had worked for the Springfield Armory for many years and was a member of St. Michael Cathedral. Enrico enjoyed gardening, cultivating beautiful, colorful flowers in his own yard. He was a loyal member of the Adriatic Club, visiting daily. Predeceased by his parents, one sister and three brothers: Americo, Elio and Orlando Cessarini, he leaves his loving wife of 62 years, Dorothy (Wycik) Cessarini, who describes their marriage as one "made in heaven." He also leaves his son, Paul Cessarini of Chicopee, MA; and his daughter, Mary Cessarini Scragg and her husband, Steve, of Geneva, FL. Family and friends are asked to gather for a visiting period on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 from 8:30- 9:15 AM at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill St., Springfield. A prayer service will be held at 9:15 AM. We will then proceed to the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA for burial with full military honors at 10:00 AM. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC is assisting the family. For directions and expressions of sympathy please visit www.nefcc.net