SALT LAKE CITY — Ralph "John" Pizzello, 85, died April 26. Pizzello was born June 24, 1923, in Trenton, N.J., to Ralph and Antoinette Francione Pizzello. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps at age 19, and was a tail gunner on an 824 bomber. He volunteered to replace an ill tail gunner from an unknown crew and was shot down. He parachuted over the Austrian Alps, was captured and was a German prisoner of war. Of his many medals, he was most proud of his purple heart. He married Ann L. Tavarozzi Nov. 14, 1945, in Tooele, at St. Marguerites Catholic Church. He worked 34 years and retired from Tooele Army Depot. He and his family were called to Washington, D. C. in 1967, to accept an Army Award from President Lyndon B. Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ann; children, John, Ralph, and LuAnn; grandchildren, John Scott and Ashely Pizzello, and Nicolina and Gianni Calfa; great-grandchildren, Vincent, Carolyn Jo and Johnny Pizzello; brother, Gabe, Dayton Beach, Fla.; sisters, Millie Herbert, Dolly (Joe) Ranfone and Phyliss (Bill) Hall, all of Trenton, N.J.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews in New Jersey and Utah. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Interment was in Murray City Cemetery.
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