William Ambrogio

WILLIAM J. AMBROGIO, age 91; beloved husband for 67 years of Eldina (nee DiFranco); loving father of William (wife Patricia), Thomas (wife Michele) and Ronald (wife Josie); devoted grandfather of Nicholas (wife Amanda), Lisa Andreani (husband John), Matthew, Erin Ambrogio-Lennon, Michael, Stephanie and William and great-grandfather of 6; treasured son of the late Biagio and Rose (nee Gennaro); dearest brother of Faye Santoli (husband Albert, deceased), Angie Lanza (husband Joseph), James (wife Judy) and the late Josephine Presti (husband Joseph, deceased); dear uncle and great uncle of many.

Bill was a World War II U.S. Army-Air Corp Veteran, who served in the Philippines and was awarded the Pacific Battle Star for the Luzon Campaign and discharged as a Staff Sergeant. He was a member of American Legion Post #775, served two terms as Commander and until April 2009 served as Adjutant.

He was a resident of Highland Heights after moving from Mayfield Heights in 1986. He dedicated his entire life volunteering his time, energy and compassion in order to assist his family, friends and his community. He has been recognized as a leader many times for specific activities. A member of St. Clare Catholic Church since 1952, Bill also served as Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine (in Euclid, OH) every Sunday and served as President of the Knights of Our Lady of Lourdes. Bill was a member and past president of the Highland Heights 50 Plus Club and member of the Highland Heights Consortium of Aging.

From 1953-1980, Bill served on the Volunteer Fire Department of Mayfield Heights OH, was voted Fireman of the Year in 1980 by the Rotary Club and retired as Captain. He began volunteer teaching for the Red Cross First Aid and CPR in 1958 and continued teaching for many, many years. Between 1960-1984, he served on the Red Cross First Aid Mobile Unit Corps and served as Chief of same from 1973 to 1984. He served as Chairman of the Safety Programs Department of Cleveland Red Cross and as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Red Cross First Aid Committee. In 1976, he received the Red Cross Safety Program’s Hall of Fame Award.

Bill also served as a member of the faculty and director of First Aid Institutes in the training and re-training of First Aid Instructors. He was a member of the Advanced Medical Aid Corps serving in hospital emergency rooms as a volunteer in the 1960s and was trained as an EMT in 1963 to enhance first aid and CPR training and respond for ambulance calls in Mayfield Heights. In addition, he worked as a Per Diem instructor for Red Cross Health & Safety Department – teaching an average of 100 classes per year in First Aid, CPR, Blood Borne Pathogens, AED and HIV in the work place and training instructors in all of those courses from 1991 on.

He was a member of the Sunrise District of the Boy Scouts of America serving as a committee member, camp-master at Camp Beaumont, first aid instructor, Health & Safety Chairman and coordinator of merit badge classes for potential Eagle Scouts. He received the District Award of Merit in 1983 and the Silver Beaver Award in 1996, which is the scouts highest honor.

A graduate of John Hay High School, Bill attended Fenn College. He worked 39 years as a printer of the Industrial Catalog and as plant manager for the John S. Swift Co. in Cincinnati, Tetterboro NJ and Cleveland – eventually retiring in 1991 as Executive Vice President. He will be well remembered as a man of principle and high character, who was generous of his time, giving, a dedicated husband and father and devoted to his faith.

Contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, 21281 Chardon Rd., Euclid OH 44117 or St. Clare Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial Monday, June 23, 2014 at St. Clare Catholic Church at 9:30 AM. Burial following with military honors at All Souls Cemetery.

Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Bill at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) SUNDAY 3-7 PM.

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