Charles E. "Charlie" Lanizzani's Obituary
Mr. Charles E. “Charlie” Lanizzani of Umatilla, FL passed away on Friday, October 12, 2012 at the age of 88 years. He was a kind, humble and fun loving man, born in Stafford Springs, CT to Charles and Mileyner Lanizzani. He served in the US Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was later wounded and spent a year in the hospital. When he returned to the states he formed a five piece band, playing polka music at weddings to earn his way through college to obtain his Professional Engineers license. Charlie went to work for the Dept. of the Army as a mechanical engineer, designing weapons systems, among them, the 40mm grenade launcher XM175. He retired in 1981 from the Picatinny Arsenal in NJ. Following his retirement Charlie and his wife, Peggy, moved to central Florida from Randolph, NJ. In Florida he formed another five piece band called the Old Timers band, playing saxophone. They often played at the Elk’s Lodge and the Moose Lodge to help them raise money. Charlie was a member of the VFW, DAV, American Legion, the Military Order of the Cooties, Eastern Star, was a 3rd degree Mason, Scottish Rite 33rd degree, Bahia Temple, Lake County FL Shrine Club and the Moose and Elk’s clubs in Eustis, FL. Charlie also enjoyed bowling, dancing, singing, gardening and yard work. Charlie is remembered and will be dearly missed by his wife of 35 years, Peggy; sister-in-law, Delores Kiss of Riverside, IL and her children, Thomas and David, sister-in-law, Joan Mauch of Davenport, IA and her son, Benjamin, sister-in-law, Nancy Bowker of Rock Island, IL and her children, Mark, Victoria, Lisa and Trent, sister-in-law, Lucille Hayne of Montgomery, IL and her daughter, Urana and sister-in-law, Nellie Brennan of Riverside, IL and her children, James, Ben and Steven; step children, Karen (Steve) Goodrich of Lutz, FL, Jane (Stephen) Brown of Sarasota, FL, Jack (Barbara) Mocho of Stafford, CT; 9 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, cousins, Ralph Putney of Stafford Springs, Ct and Weston Rabideau of Bradenton, FL. Viewing was held on Saturday, October 20th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm with a funeral ceremony starting at 1:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. Burial followed at Greenwood Cemetery, Eustis, FL. If you so desire, flowers are being accepted or you may send a donation in his honor to Help Hospitalized Veterans, 36585 Penfield Lane, Winchester, CA 92596 or online at www.HHV.org. Arrangements are entrusted to Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Directors, Eustis, FL, (352)357-4193. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by signing the guestbook below.
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