Jay M. Hamilton, 86, of Medford, Oregon, passed away on April 17, 2008. Jay was born to Ernest J. and Pearl E. (Bernstrom) Hamilton on October 29, 1921 at Holy Cross Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from South High School, Salt Lake City, June 1940. Jay majored in forestry management at Utah State University, class of 1944.
Jay entered the U.S. Army in 1944 and with his advanced ROTC class, was assigned to I Company, 304th Infantry Regiment, 76th Infantry Division. Jay served our country in World War II (Mulde River, East Germany). While serving in Germany he met Ingeborg Marianne Haase. They married August 9, 1947 in Upper Bavaria, Germany. She preceded him in death in 1976. Jay retired from active military service as a Lieutenant Colonel from Fort Ord, Calif., May 31, 1963.
Jay served Providence Hospital, Medford as Personnel Director from 1968-1977; and was Secretary – Treasurer, 304th Infantry Regiment Association, 76th Infantry Division Association from 1998-2000.
On February 18, 1977, Jay married Edith Barbara Prack, who survives. A sister, Mary Beth Logan of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; son, Steve (Charlene) Hamilton; daughters, Catherine Ann Hamilton, Margaret (Eric) Patterson; and son, Mark (Ann) Hamilton, all of Medford; stepchildren, Barbara (Peter) Benson of Portland, Ore., and Anton Prack, of San Francisco, Calif., survive. Jay leaves behind eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Donald J. Katz was born in Detroit, the first of three children of Sarah and Izidor Katz. He attended the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School. As an Officer in World War ll, he served as a Captain in Patton’s 3rd Army and was part of the final push into Germany. His last assignment before returning Stateside was as head of the Nuremberg motor pool for the Nuremberg War trials.
Upon returning home, he joined his father Izidor and brother, the late Wilfred L. Katz, in the fledgling John R. Lumber Company, which later prospered and became a respected member of the greater Detroit business community. He was a dedicated member of the Rotary Foundation. He participated locally, nationally and internationally in this community service organization and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship honoring him as an advocate of the Foundation’s goals of world peace and international understanding.
Don was a member and supporter of B’nai Brith and Technion. For 50+ years Don was a member and served on the Board of Temple Emanuel as an officer. For the past 15 years he was a member of Temple Kol Ami.
Beloved husband for 67 years to Bernice Katz. Dear father of Bruce (Andrea) Katz and Steve Katz. Loving grandfather of Emily (fiance Chris Magrin) Katz and Carly Katz. Devoted son of Izidor and the late Sarah Katz. Brother of the late Wilfred (the late Bernice) Katz and the late Marilyn Kaufman. Brother-in-law of Sydell (the late Sam) Leebove, Toby Berkower and the late Dr. Donald M. Berkower. Also survived by loving nieces, nephews and loyal friends.
Frank Mucedola (1921-2007) with his wife Adriana (1926-2017).
Frank Mucedola, 85, of 7007 State Street Road, died peacefully Saturday, March 24, 2007, after his heroic battle with prostate cancer. At his side were his loving wife and family.
Frank was born in San Severo, Foggia, Italy, but lived most of his life in Auburn. He was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church. After the love for his family, music was his life. Frank was a performer, a teacher and a composer. For many years, Frank toured Auburn and central New York playing with the Sammy Speno Orchestra. He performed as a soloist with several symphony orchestras, such as the Syracuse Symphony and the New Haven Symphony. The highlight of his musical career was performing with the world-renowned Mantovani Orchestra from 1985 until his death. They toured the world including all 50 United States, performing for millions of people.
He owned and operated the Frank Mucedola Accordion School. He composed many pieces of music for the accordion; the most famous was the “Fox and the Hound,” which is played throughout the world. Frank was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, the American Accordionist Association, the Italian Heritage Society and the VFW.
Sgt. First Class Frank Mucedola was an Army veteran of World War II, having served with the 304th Infantry Regiment of the 76th Division as part of General Patton”s Third Army that fought through France, Luxembourg and Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star with the V Device for Valor for single-handedly taking out a German gun nest with a bazooka, that had his company pinned down during a night action.
The son of the late Felix and Angelina Mucedola, Frank is survived by his devoted wife, Adriana Coppola Mucedola; three sons, Felix and his wife, Mary Ann, Randolph and his wife, Amy, all from Auburn and Joseph and his wife Cathy, of Weedsport; a daughter, Anna Maria Tuori and her husband, Guy, of Cicero; sister, Dora Longo; brother, Anthony Mucedola and his wife, Margaret, all of Auburn; nine grandchildren, Felix, Mike, Frank, Joey, Diana, Adriana, Alexander, Guy and Jason; and several nieces and nephews.
Frank”s life defined the American experience… initiated as an immigrant, tested as a patriot, and demonstrated to all as a role model. His talents as a soldier helped free a continent, his skills as a musician brought happiness to millions and ultimately, his gifted ways as a husband, father and honor bound friend set an unparalleled standard for all who knew him.
“After the mass, the funeral procession got to drive by my Dad’s accordion school one last time and then by City Hall where they rang the Wheeler Bell in honor of the passing of a veteran. There was an accordion on the front steps where the mayor was standing as we drove by.“
“At the cemetery there were a couple of soldiers who played taps and then folded the American flag that laid over the casket and presented it to my Mother. It was a great tribute to him.“
-Joe Mucedola (Frank’s son)
Sgt. First Class Frank Mucedola – 1944
Frank Mucedola interview from 2003 published by the New York State Military Museum.
Frank Mucedola’s son Felix “Phil” Mucedola’s interview for Musically Speaking with Bob Piorun.
Walter M. Nogas, T/Sgt Camp McCoy, Wisconsin – 1944
Excerpt from an interview with Frank Mucedola (1921-2007). Technical sergeant for the 3rd Platoon, I-304-76.
There was another sergeant, he was a weapons platoon sergeant. He lived in Utica – in those days the New York Central used to run through Auburn – and he was a brakeman on the New York Central in civilian life and he worked the Albany/Niagara Falls route. And he says “Moose” – that was my nickname, “Moose” – he says, “when the war is over I’m gonna come down to your house and we’re gonna have spaghetti dinner together. So that’s all we always talked about, “Yeah, when the war is over, gonna have a spaghetti dinner.”
So now this is about two weeks before the war ended, we had to go on a reconnaissance patrol. It was me, Katz and two other guys that are going. Before you attack you make your reconnaissance patrol of the terrain that you’re gonna attack so you can prepare whatever action you’re gonna take. And this guy, he says, “Moose, wait awhile. I wanna come with you.” Now he wasn’t supposed to come with us, so he jumps in his jeep and we go to this farmhouse.
Katz goes up to the farm, he spoke in German, he says to the farmer, “Any German soldiers around here?” The farmer says, “No, they left a long time ago.” Okay. So now there’s a barn in back, I took a run around the barn and here’s this German sneaking up on us, okay? So we come face to face and I shot the guy and I killed him. So now I holler to the rest of the guys, “Come on over.” I say, “The Germans are over here.”
They run over, and this guy that wanted the spaghetti dinner gets shot in the gut. Now he’s on his hands and knees… “Moose, I’m gonna die.” And I says, “aw, you’re gonna be all right.”
Lorel Wayne Roestel, age 95, passed away on February 28, 2020 in Spokane surrounded by his loving family.
He was born August 13, 1924 in Spokane to Lorel and Ethel (Matson) Roestel. He married Beverly Watkins in 1947 and started a family raising seven children on a farm out on the Palouse. In 1962 they moved to Snoqualmie Valley, they returned again to Spokane in 2013 until his passing.
His life revolved around his love for his family and his faith in his Creator Jehovah God. Grandpa loved spending time with his family of 7 children, 27 grandchildren, 37 1/2 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren!!
He is survived by his sons Larry, Terry & David Roestel; his daughters, Sheryl Ripley, Mollee Raney and Pam Hillemann. He is preceded in death by his wife Beverly H. Roestel and by his son Garry J. Roestel.
