Cuyahoga Falls veteran Libert Bozzelli graduates high school 80 years after going to war
When he left home for the U.S. Army 80 years ago, Libert Bozzelli didn't know if he would ever return, much less finish high school.
He felt his 1942 enlistment was more important.
"I wanted to enlist; it was my duty to serve my country," the 97-year-old said.
Last week, as he was preparing walk across the stage with the Cuyahoga Falls High School Class of 2022, the accomplishment was bittersweet for the Bozzelli family, as Libert's wife of more than 75 years had died May 12.
Madeline Bozzelli, 94, was recognized as a prolific philanthropist, and it is estimated she raised more than $200 million over many decades for charitable causes.
The two celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in October. They had four children, six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
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Libert Bozzelli is also known for his service to the community. In addition to his tour with the U.S. Army Air Corps, he served as a Cuyahoga Falls City Council member from 1968 to 1986 and then as a Summit County Council representative from 1986 to 1990.
He also was the union business agent for the Sheet Metal Workers for 31 years and has been a union member for seven decades. He's served on the boards of many charitable organizations.
Bozzelli founded and was president of the Suicide Prevention Organization, and has also been president of the Mental Health Board, the Cuyahoga Falls Hospital Board, the Kent State Fashion School Board, the Terry Board and many others.
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At the end of Word War II, however, all that was in his future.
"I wanted to get to work, so I went to the University of Akron for an aptitude test," he recalled. "They said I excelled in math and suggested a trade school. I then went to trade school to become a sheet metal worker for Independence Sheet Metal Co."
He married Madeline in 1946 at St. Martha's Church in Akron, and 600 people attended their reception later that evening at Carovillese Club in Akron's North Hill neighborhood, where the two grew up.
Libert Bozzelli was later elected a union representative for Sheet Metal Workers Local 70, now known as The Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers’ Local Union 33, with districts throughout Ohio and West Virginia. He served as a business agent for 42 years.
"I was elected again and again — and they tell me I am the longest-serving business agent in U.S. history," he said.
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Commencement overdue for 97-year-old
On returning home from the war, Libert Bozzelli said his first priority was to get to work, so he didn't bother furthering his education.
"I had a good job, I had a beautiful new bride, and I was making money. I was doing just fine," he said.
It wasn't until he was well into retirement that he felt it was time to go back to school.
"It was always something I wanted to do. Education is very important to me, and I served on a lot of boards to promote continued education," he explained. "I was always so busy I never thought I would have the time, even though I really wanted this. So now I found the time.
"I also liked the idea of graduating with one of my grandkids or great-grandkids. So it was extra special to time it with the graduation of my great-grandson, Dominick Czetl."
Bozzelli passed aptitude tests administered by the high school in April, then joined about 270 members of the Cuyahoga Falls High School Class of 2022 on the stage Tuesday evening at Blossom Music Center.
"It was right at the beginning when we read off the names of the graduates. We led off with him," said Assistant Principal Jason Smith.
The crowd responded with a standing ovation.
"It was special; it really was," Smith said.
Accompanying Bozzelli was Czetli and Bozzelli's grandson Brent Hovey, a teacher at Cuyahoga Falls High School, the alma mater of 16 family members.
Bozzelli told Akron Beacon Journal partner News 5 Cleveland that his wife, Madeline, was with him as he crossed the stage.
"She's with me all the time," he said. "Even though you can't see her, and they can't see her ... I can see her."
Eric Marotta can be reached at 330-541-9433, or emarotta@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarottaEric.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cuyahoga Falls veteran, 97, graduates high school with great-grandson
