 SHELBY- Albert Mancinelli passed into glory on Sunday, January 15th at Hospice Wendover. The son of Italian immigrants John and Savino Madrisi Mancinelli who came to America in 1906, Al was born in upstate New York on March 7th 1922. He enjoyed being part of an enormous and close-knit Italian family whose influence and love carried him throughout his life. After graduation from Newburg Free Academy in 1939 he joined the National Guard, transferring to the Army following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. So began his intense love of all things military, and forming a deep and loyal alliance to his country. He graduated from jump school at Fort Benning Ga. where he trained as a paratrooper. Along with his comrades of the 17th Airborne Division Al participated in the invasion of Nazi Germany, crossing Hitler's Rhine River into the town of Wesel on March 24th, 1945. Several military appointments later he was honorably discharged from active duty in 1947, but was a loyal soldier to the end. In addition to awards and medals from the U.S. military, in July 2014 Al was honored to receive the Napoleon Legion of Honor Medal, "Legion d' Honneur de Napoleon", France's highest award for his service to France in WWII.
To commentate his 90th birthday Al fulfilled a lifelong dream of "freefalling" and made a parachute jump at Carolina Skydive in Chester S.C. in June 2012. His grandson Aaron and wife Tiffany accompanied him. On July 20th 2016 he jumped again to honor all veterans, especially the airborne veterans. He carried with him a 2016 official AWLS baseball and a flag honoring airborne soldiers. This was arranged by American Legion Post 82 and was aired on the Keeter Stadium scoreboard simultaneously as the Special Forces Association Parachute Team jumped into the stadium on Military Appreciation Day, August 14th, 2016. Al delivered this same ball for the first pitch to a standing ovation from the spectators.
Al was both humbled and honored to be chosen the Grand Marshall of the first Veterans Day Parade in Shelby, 2016. The highlight of his week was meeting with the Tuesday Morning Coffee Crowd. He continued to anticipate Tuesdays while he was in Hospice and the guys never disappointed him. They are ever faithful.
Always desiring to serve others Al was a member of various organizations including, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Scottish Rite, Shriners, Masonic Lodge 202, Disabled American Veterans, and American Veterans Association. He and his wife Norma volunteered extensively after their retirement at Carolinas Healthcare-Cleveland Hospital, The Charles George VA Medical Center, Shelby Presbyterian Food Ministry and Soup Kitchen, and numerous others.
Along with his parents, Al was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Norma Moser Mancinelli, grandson Andy Mancinelli, brothers Michael, Joseph, Rocco, Frank, and Louis Mancinelli, their spouses and a sister Mary Hawley.
Surviving are his children, Marie Mancinelli and wife Terry Nilles, John Mancinelli and wife Janet, and Michael Mancinelli. Grandchild Aaron Mancinelli and wife Tiffany. Great-grandchildren, Andy Mancinelli, Adam Mancinelli, Kaiya Mancinelli, Ayden Hamrick, and Lilly Arrowood. Also surviving is his beloved brother Anthony Mancinelli who is 105 years young, of which Al was very proud. Known for the beautiful peonies he shared with family and friends, Albert Mancinelli will be remembered lovingly when peonies bloom in the spring.
A faithful member of Shelby Presbyterian Church, Covenant Sunday School Class, where funeral services will be held on Thurs., Jan. 19th at 11am. Burial following at Cleveland Memorial Park with full military honors and Masonic Rites. The family will receive friends, Wed, 6-8pm, at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.claybarnette.com
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