HOME FAMILY YESTERDAY SOLVAY STARSTRUCK MIXED BAG
 
Most of the information below was gleaned from War Department announcements that appeared in the Syracuse Herald-Journal. Some of the servicemen and women listed on these pages did not live in Solvay or the town of Geddes, but in neighborhoods associated more with the village than with the city of Syracuse where their homes were located. I've corrected what I believe were spelling errors, particularly in regard to names. However, I'm sure errors remain. To correct them or to add people I inadvertently overlooked, contact me at the email address at the bottom of the page. — JACK MAJOR
 
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Syracuse Herald-Journal, March 25, 1945
Released only four months ago from a German prison camp in France by advancing Allies, Sgt.
Albert E. Rabozzi of 201 Case Street, Solvay, was wounded in action in Germany February 27, shortly after returning to duty.

Word that their son was wounded was received from the War Department by Mr. and Mrs. John Rabozzi, who also have a nephew in the service, Corp. Donald Rabozzi, son of Mario and Jesse Rabozzi, is with the Army in the South Pacific area.

Sgt. Rabozzi was first reported missing in action in September, 1944, and next was listed as a prisoner of the Germans. His release followed a month later when the Allie routed the prison camp garrison.

Sgt. Rabozzi, who attended Solvay High School, was inducted November 17, 1942. He trained at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and at Camp Leonard Wood, Missouri, going overseas 16 months ago.

Thanks to William Rabozzi for pointing out that Albert and Donald Rabozzi (above) were cousins, not brothers. Both Rabozzi families lived on Case street.

The email continued:

"I would like to add that my father Joseph Rabozzi, who recently passed away on My 20th 2023 at 97, was 4F for WW2 but served in the Korean War in graves registrations identifying soldiers remains.

"I was hoping you could add him to your website. It would have meant the world to him. He was very proud of his service to his country, one of the highlights of his life."

Regards, William Rabozzi.

 

Syracuse Herald-Journal, May 25, 1945
Liberated from Stalag 4B in Germany, Private
Edward J. Radford of Solvay has written that he hopes to be home soon.

It was April 6 when his wife, Mrs. Mary E. Radford of 229 Windemere Road, Westvale, heard through the Red Cross that he was a prisoner. He had been reported missing after his capture on December 17 of last year.

Pvt. Radford entered the Army in May, 1944, and trained at Camp Blanding, Florida, and Camp Meade, Maryland, before going overseas in November, 1944. Prior to entering the service he was employed at the Onondaga Pottery Company.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Radford, live at 825 Park Avenue. He has two children, Jacqueline and Thomas.

Edward "Jack" Radford, 80, then a resident of Camillus, died in 1999 at the age of 80. He retired from Marsellus Casket Company and was employed 24 years at Syracuse China. He is not to be confused with another Solvay veteran of World War 2, Edward "Red" Radford.
Pvt. Robert Radford, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Radford, 712 Fourth Street, Solvay, has returned to Army service at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, after an eight-day furlough. He is in Commando service. Pfc. Thomas F. Radford, his brother, is in the Marines, stationed at Parris Island, South Carolina. (7/16/43)
Thomas F. Radford retired in 1984 as a carpenter at Carrier Corporation. He died in 2002 in Baldwinsville where he had lived since 1950. he was 80.
Seaman 2/c Marie M. Radford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Radford of 332 Lionel Avenue, Solvay, has been assigned to the Waves Storekeeper School at Milledgeville, Georgia, for further training. She is a graduate of Solvay High School and of the Felt and Terrant Comptometer School. She has a brother in the Army, Corp. Michael W. Radford. (5/25/44)
Michael W. Radford was wounded in action in Europe in 1945. He worked at Crucible Steel until retiring in 1982. He was a resident of North Syracuse when he died in 1995 at the age of 72.
 
AC Edward Radoane, son of Mrs. Theresa Radoane, 317 Sixth Street, Solvay, has been graduated from the Army Air Force flexible gunnery school, Laredo Army Air Field, Texas. (2/2/44)
 
Pfc. Patsy J. Ranalli, 216 Driscoll Avenue, returned to New York City on the Bordstown Victory. (10/8/45)
Patrick Ranalli operated Burnet Park Barber Shop at the corner of Tompkins Street and Milton Avenue on Syracuse's Tipperary Hill, giving him a view of the famous traffic light that places the green over the red. He was a resident of 138 Century Drive, across the street for the site of the old Solvay High School, when he died in 1993 at the age of 87.
 

Seaman 2/c Ralphia Madelyn Ray, 22, of 108 Trump Street, Solvay, has completed basic training in the Waves and has been assigned to a Naval air base at Atlanta, Georgia, as an aviation machinist mate. She has a brother, S/Sgt. Vincent L. Ray in the Army Air Foces at Fresno, California. (8/7/44)

Ralphia M. Ray, S 1/c. USNR, is home on a 10-day leave from Atlanta, Georgia. Seaman Ray made her home with her sister, Mrs. Dominic Messina, 108 Trump Street, Solvay, before entering the service on April 18. Seaman Ray is the daughter of Mrs. Rose Ray of Camillus. She was graduated from Warners High School and was employed by the Doyle Tool Company prior to entering the service. After receiving her training at Hunter College, she was transferred to Atlanta. (10/20/44)

 
Seaman Second Class Richard Raymond, son of Mr. and Mrs. Melbourne Raymond of 223 William Street, Solvay, finished basic training at Sampson, enjoyed a seven-day furlough and is now receiving radio technician training at the Jacksonville, Florida, Naval Air Station. (12/6/43)
In September, 1945, the War Department announced that Richard James Raymond was missing in action. Details continue to elude me, but the status of ARM 3c (Aviation Repairman third class) Raymond would later be changed to "lost at sea." His spirit is honored and his name inscribed at the Honolulu Memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
 
S/Sgt. Vincent J. Rea of 204 Charles Avenue, Solvay, is helping in the maintenance of teletype installations at the Guam Air Depot, Harmon Field, in the Marianas Islands. (7/10/45)
 
When Clifford H. Richel was inducted into the Navy in May, 1944, his address was listed as RD-1, Solvay. Richel was a resident of Lakeside where he spent most of his life. He served in the Pacific, then came home and began a long career with City Pattern Shop, retiring in 1982 as vice president. He also was a charter member of the Lakeside Volunteer Fire Department. He died in 1999 at the age of 79.
 
S 1/c Bernard L. Riley, 129 Caroline Avenue, Solvay, was discharged from the Navy in December, 1945.
Bernard L. Riley, 75, of Camillus, died in November, 1990, at the age of 75.
 
Pfc. John D. Riley, 133 Freeman Avenue, Solvay, is a member of an artillery battery which recently received a “Distinguished Unit Citation” for outstanding performance of duty in action in Italy. (10/10/44)
John D. Riley, who served with the First Armored Division in Africa and Europe, went to work for Conrail as a signal maintainer, retiring in 1981. He moved to Fairmount where he died in 2012 at the age of 93, survived by his wife of 71 years, the former Alice Slocum.
 
Victor W. Rinaldo, 69, of 445 Center St., Solvay, died in February, 1992. He was an Army veteran of World War 2 who worked for Allied Chmical Coporation as a crew leader on a rigging gang.
 
Paul P. Risteff Jr. of 404 Abell Avenue, Solvay, was inducted into the Army in August, 1943. After the war he apparently settled in Vermont. He died in 2005, at the age of 80, and is buried at Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center.
 

Stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Corp. Earl Rivette, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Rivette of 3931 Milton Avenue, was home yesterday for his 24th birthday. He is on a nine-day furlough. (8/11/42)

Sgt. Earl I. Rivette, 26, has been missing in action in France since August 29, a War Department telegram has informed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rivette of 3931 Milton Avenue. Earlier this month his parents received from him the Purple Heart awarded to their son when he was wounded in July.

Sgt. Rivette enlisted in the Army September 26, 1940, and trained at Camp Wood, Missouri, at a desert training center in California, and at Camp Forrest, Tennessee. He went overseas in November, 1943, and to France early in July. (9/28/44)

S/Sgt. Earl J. Rivette of 3931 Milton Avenue, who has been in service five years, was recently honorably discharged. Rivette served overseas two years with the 28th Infantry, Eighth Division. He wears the Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster, the Combat Infantryman’s badge and the ETO ribbon with four battle stars. (10/15/45)

I found no explanation, but assume Earl Rivette was captured by Germans and was a prisoner of war for several months.
Corp. George W. Rivette, 100 Caroline Avenue, Solvay, was one of the first to enlist in the Army, before Pearl Harbor, and one of the last to die in World War 2, killed in action against the German army on April 10, 1945, having survived an earlier tour of duty in the South Pacific.
 
Charles J. Robinson, 419 Cherry Road, Westvale, was discharged from the Navy at Bainbridge, Maryland. (12/11/45)
He was a salesman at Syracuse Liquor and at Cardamone, Utica, an usher of St. Charles of Borromeo Church in Westvale, and a volunteer for 22 years at St. Camillus Health and Rehabilitation Center. He died in 1999 at the age of 92, his home address the same was it was in 1945.
 
Isidro "Sid" Rodriguez, 88, of Solvay, died in July, 2007, at the age of 88. A life resident of Solvay, he served in the Army Air Corps during World War 2. Following the war, he worked for the Syracuse Air National Guard for many years. He then went to work for the Syracuse Housing Authority for over 20 years before retiring in 1981. His memberships included the Solvay Tigers AC and Community Youth Center and the Solvay Tyrol Club. His brother, Manuel J. Rodriguez, served in the war with the Navy.
 
Pfc. Edward A. Rogalski, Solvay, was discharged from Fort Dix, New Jersey. (12/11/45)

He and his brother, Michael Rogalski, both of 112 Franklin Avenue, Solvay, were among the first to join the Army as the country prepared for a war that seemed inevitable. The Roglaski brothers reported for duty on January 31, 1941.

Edward Rogalski retired in 1985 as a pipefitter for Allied Chemical. He was past president of the United Steel Workers Local 12457 and a member of the Tyrol Club of Solvay. He died in 1997 at the age of 74, survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Angeline DeStefano.

Michael Rogalski was a longtime Solvay resident, but also lived in Camillus, Warners and Rochester. He retired from Crucible Specialty Metals and died in 1994 at the age of 83.

 
TM 3/c Richard H. Rolfe, 29, had been missing in action in the Pacific area since April 19, his mother, Mrs. Leona Rolfe Guckert of 811 State Fair Boulevard, Lakeland, learned in a telegram from the War Department. Rolfe previously was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered at Salerno. (5/6/45)
 
Cecil Charles Rowand was listed as living at 303 First Street, Solvay, when he was inducted into the Navy in September, 1943. He was born in Pittsburgh and lived in Fairmount, West Virginia, before moving to Central New York in 1938. Before and after the war he worked at Crucible Specialty Metals. he died in 1997 at the age of 76.
 
The two sons of Frank and Mary Rudy, who lived at 34 Bridge Street, Solvay, in the early 1940s, both served their country during World War 2.
Chester Rudy was in the Army infantry for five years in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters, earning several medals for distringuished service. He lived in Solvay most of his life, but eventually moved to Camillus. He worked at Allied Chemical and Crucible Steel and was the owner of Rudy's Tavern in Solvay. He died in 1997 at the age of 82.
Walter B. Rudy was an Army medic. After the war he worked 40 years at Crucible Steel. Still a Solvay resident, he died in 2007 at the age of 88, survived by two daughters, Bernice Bundren of St. Charles, Missouri, and Sandra Baird of Orlando, Florida, and a son, Frank A. Rudy of Solvay.
 
Perhaps the most unusual first name belonged to Exsiaus A. Ruel of 697 State Fair Boulevard, Lakeland, who was inducted into the Army in 1944. The U. S. Census had him listed as E. Arnold Ruel and I suspect he went by his middle name. He died in 1954.
 
Michael Rusyniak, Air Corps, of 1202 Willis Avenue, has been promoted from second to first lieutenant, the War Department announced. (1/21/44)
After the war Michael Rusyniak was a self-employed auctioneer. He died in 2012 at the age of 90, survived by his wife, Lottie; a daughter, Janet, and a son, Michael.
Anthony Rusyniak, 1202 Willis Avenue, and Thomas J. Stanton, 125 Burnet Avenue, successfully landed their Fairchild monoplane in a hayfield near the Tuscarora Golf Club about 8:30 o'clock last night when engine trouble developed. Neither was injured and the plane escaped damage. (6/16/42)
In view of the above newspaper item, it was inevitable that Anthony Rusyniak, brother of Michael Rusyniak, would follow this path when he enlisted in the armed forces:
Flight Officer Anthony Rusyniak, 1202 Willis Avenue, received his wings and appointment upon graduation of a pilot training class at Douglas Army Air Field, Arizona. (10/24/44)
William George Rusyniak, a third brother, also was in the Army, serving in Germany after the war. He was a pilot who was a self-employed businessman after the war. He died in 2011 at the age of 2011, survived by his wife, the former Ann Ranall; a daughter, Mary Rusyniak; two sons, Dr. George Rusyniak of Fairhope, Alabama, and Tony Rusyniak of Skaneateles, and his brother Michael.
 
Three sons of Joseph and Stella Rydelek of 313 First Street, Solvay, served in the armed forces during World War 2:
Marcel "Mitzi" Rydelek was a Navy veteran of the war. He was born in Solvay and was employed at Allied Chemical until he left his hometown about 1960 and moved to Las Vegas. He returned to Solvay in 1986 and died a year later at the age of 72. He was survived by his wife, the former Fay DeSantis.
Theodore B. Rydelek, a Solvay High School graduate, served in the Army Air Forces during the war. Later he was a tool and die technician for AutoLite and PrestoLite Corporation. He died in 2001 at the age of 82, survived by his wife of 58 years, the former Rose Wasnick.
William B. Rydelek served in the Army. Like his brother, "Mitzi," he moved to Las Vegas where he died in 2005 at the age of 80.
 
Three sons of Frank and Lottie Rynkiewicz of 106 Boyd Avenue, Solvay, served during World War 2:
Frank Rynkiewicz of 803 Second St., Solvay, died January 30, 1953, the day before what would have been his 34th birthday. A native of Solvay, he was employed by Pass & Seymour. During the war T/Sgt. Frank Rynkiewicz, served with the Fifth Armored Division. He was survived by his wife, the former Stella Olszewska; his mother, Lottie Rynkiewicz; two sisters and six brothers.
Chester Rynkiewicz, 74, of 305 Hall Ave., Solvay, died in February, 2000. S 1/c Chester Ryniewicz was in the Navy during World War 2. He retired from General Electric Co. He was survived by his wife, the former Marilyn Rice; three daughters, Cynthia Stevens of North Carolina, Wendy Bort of Westvale and Judy Whipple of Solvay, and two brothers, George of New Jersey and John Edward Rynkiewicz of Elbridge.
I have nothing on the time Anthony Rynkiewicz spent in the service except for what was in his father's obituary in July, 1945, that Pfc. Anthony Rynkiewicz was at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
 
Inducted into the armed services:
Glenn R. Robinson, 108 Abell Avenue, Solvay (Navy, 7/8/43)
James J. Rowe, 2907 West Genesee Street (Army, 7/8/43)
Andrew A. Rychter, 665 State Fair Boulevard (Army, 5/11/44)
 
 
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For more on Solvay way back when, check out
the Solvay-Geddes Historical Society
 
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