Sheila Smith and I went to see him yesterday. He didn't know we were there, but I'm glad we went. He must have died just a few hours after we left.
I'll probably go to the Friday night service of remembrance.
Aldo S. Vagnozzi Click here to visit web site
http://www.heeneysundquist.com/index.cfm(October 4, 1925 - March 22, 2009)
Age 83, of Farmington Hills, former 37th District MI State Rep. and Farmington Hills Mayor, died Sunday evening, March 22nd, 2009, at home, following a battle with Pancreatic Cancer.
State Representative Aldo Vagnozzi served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. Rep. Vagnozzi served on the House Education; Local Government; and Senior Health, Security and Retirement Committees.
Rep. Vagnozzi held the distinction of being the first directly-elected Mayor of Farmington Hills, a position he held for five years. He was a member of the Farmington Hills City Council and remained on the Council for seven years. Additionally, Rep. Vagnozzi served on the Farmington District School Board for four years. Extremely community oriented, his present and past service includes President of the Farmington Area PTA; member of the Home Owners Association; Chair of the Consumers Protection Committee; Vice President of the Farmington-area AARP; former member of the Steering Committee of the Multi-Cultural/Multi-Racial Committee; and as Oakland County Coordinator for the Michigan Campaign for Quality Care.
With an abundance of energy and subtle determination, Vagnozzi held an active membership with the Kimberley Home Owners Association; the Farmington-area AARP; the Michigan Campaign for Quality Care; the Goodfellows of Greater Farmington; the Neighborhood House Executive Committee; ushers at St. Alexander's Catholic Church; served as Treasurer of the Farmington Democratic Club; and formerly delivered Meals on Wheels.
A graduate of Wayne State University, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Rep. Vagnozzi worked as the Editor of the Michigan State AFL-CIO News and the Detroit Labor News. Also, he was the Editorial Consultant for Cy Aaron Publications and Inland Press. Like many of his generation, Aldo's college education was interrupted by war. Aldo began service in the U.S. Army in December 1943, where he served as an interpreter with Italian prisoners-of-war and participated in the return of prisoners to Italy in spring of 1946. He was discharged in May 1946, with the rank of Sergeant. He returned to Wayne State University in September 1946, under the G.I. Bill of Rights, and graduated in June 1948 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. While at Wayne, he was editor of the award winning Daily Collegian in 1947-48 school year. In his working career, following service in the U.S. Army, Vagnozzi served as assistant editor and editor of a state labor federation weekly newspaper and as editor of the Metropolitan area labor newspaper as well as being an employee of Inland Press and Cy Aaron Publications. In his work capacity, Vagnozzi reported on the Legislature and the Constitutional Convention, becoming fully knowledgeable of the Michigan government process. A fervent advocate for the constituents of his district, Rep. Vagnozzi was a strong voice in preserving the Woodland Hills nature park; led the fight to prevent an oil well from being erected in the city; helped draft a strong cellular tower ordinance; fought developers to keep down the density in housing subdivisions; and worked to motivate and include citizens in all levels of city government decisions. Rep. Vagnozzi has received the Chair’s Award from the Multi-Cultural, Multi-Racial Committee; the Tim Dinan Award for Service to the Oakland County Democratic Party; the City of Farmington Hills Volunteer Award; the Precinct Delegate of the Year Award; and had the honor of having the Visitors Center at Heritage Park named as the Vagnozzi Visitors Center.
Aldo was the beloved husband of over 50 years to the late Lois (1999); the devoted father of Steven (Darlene), Paul, Nancy (Rick) Pantaleo and Barbara (Howard) Fleeter; the cherished grandfather of Michelle (Andrew) Axe, Angie (Matt) Reid, Brent, Alicia, Casey, Justin and Abby; and the great grandfather of Lucas and Jeremiah. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Anna (Vic) Burak.
The family will receive guests at the Funeral Home on Thursday, March 26th, from 2-9 PM, and Friday, March 27th from 2-9 PM.
A Service of Remembrance is planned for Friday evening at 7 PM.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, March 28th, (time pending) at St. James Catholic Church, 46325 W. Ten Mile Rd., (btw. Taft and Beck Rds.), Novi.
Private interment will take place next to his wife at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.
Memorial tributes are suggested Make-a-Wish Foundation, Farmington Public Library or Servant Church of St. Alexander, Farmington Hills.
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