World War II veteran Francis Salucci, 86, of Pandora died at 5:05 a.m., May 15, 2011, at the Bridge Hospice Center, Findlay. He was born April 28, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan, to Vincent and Mary Frammolino Salucci. On Jan. 25, 1946, he married Doris I. Weis and she preceded him in death on Aug. 25, 1995.
Following his graduation from Fordson High School, Dearborn, Mich., in 1943, Mr. Salucci enlisted in the Navy V-6 Air Cadet Program. He served until 1947 as an aviation radioman 2nd class and trained in radio, radar and aerial gunnery.
He served on the USS Ticonderoga, USS Yorktown and other ships in the Pacific for two years. In 1943, while serving on the aircraft carrier Yorktown, he appeared in a documentary filmed onboard to record the life of the ship's crew through her victorious sweep across the Pacific.
Mr. Salucci can be seen in the film as one of the air crewmen being briefed for their mission to strike Marcus Island. He shared the documentary, titled "The Fighting Lady," with fellow American Legion members and with veterans in area nursing homes. He was part of the air corps that flew over Tokyo Bay while Japanese leaders formally surrendered on board the USS Missouri.
Having studied at Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1943 as part of the V-12 Navy Program, he later earned an associate degree in industrial management at Ohio Northern University in 1961.
Mr. Salucci retired as general foreman after 35 years at the Lima Ford Engine Plant, where he received the Town Crier and Citizen of the Year awards for his community service, including several years as a Putnam County Red Cross volunteer.
He was a member of the Pandora United Methodist Church, where he served on various boards and led the fundraising campaign to build an extensive addition to the facility.
He also organized an investment class for high school students from the community. After his retirement, he led an active life, including earning his private pilot's license.
Mr. Salucci gave tennis lessons and started tennis leagues in Pandora, after having traveled the country playing tennis in the Senior Olympics. He was an avid bowler, umpired baseball and women's softball in Pandora, and was instrumental in starting the Pandora Shuffle Board League.
His interest in sports began early, as he played tennis and baseball in high school and was in the midst of tryouts for the minor league team of the St. Louis Cardinals when he decided to join the Navy.
Survivors include three daughters, Linda (Ronald) Brinkman of Van Buren; Carol (Eugene) Suter of Gladstone, Mo.; Diane Salucci of San Diego, Calif..; a son David (Connie) Salucci of Arlington; five grandchildren, Leanne (Mark Watters) Suter, Tracy (Kyle) Marty, Michael (Amy) Brinkman, Joanna Brinkman, Ryan Salucci, three great grandchildren, Matthew Brinkman, Megan Brinkman, Robbie Marty, and a brother, Ralph Salucci. He was preceded in death by a half brother James Salucci.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., May 28, 2011, at the Pandora United Methodist Church. Rev. Mark Hollinger will officiate.
The American Legion will conduct military rites. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Bridge Hospice of Findlay, Pandora Methodist Church or Hilty Memorial Home, Pandora. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
