Robert Massarelli

SSG Robert A. Massarelli, US Army, age 32, gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country when he lost his life to the war in Kandahar, Afghanistan while serving in the US Army’s 96th Transportation Company out of Ft. Hood, TX. Robert was fun loving , he took his love of life and levity to the field helping his fellow soldiers to maintain their sanity during their deployments. Robert was remembered by one as the “Soldier of Soldiers”, another soldier tributes Robert for “keeping him sane” during their deployments. Over the last eight years, SSG Massarelli completed 3 tours to Iraq prior to his final tour in Afghanistan. He will be truly missed by his fellow soldiers, friends and family. Robert (Bobby) Massarelli was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on September 22, 1979 to Pat and Mary (Renneker) Massarelli. He attended Fairfield North Elementary until 1987 when the family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated in 1998 from East Kentwood High School prior to joining the US Army. Robert left the military in July 2001, only to re-join a few short years later for love of camarderie and devotion to his country. Robert is survived by his parents, Pat and Mary Massarelli of Hamilton, Ohio; brothers Michael Massarelli of NC and TSgt Benjamin Massarelli, USAF of NM; grandmother, Wanda Massarelli, Hamilton, Ohio; Uncle Greg (Ann) Renneker, Hamilton, Ohio, Uncle Nicky Massarelli of IL and Aunt Dianne (Mike) Savage of NC. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Chief Nicoli Massarelli USN and Vincent and Rose (Lednik) Renneker and Uncle Tim Renneker. The Massarelli Family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be directed to The Fisher House for Families of the Fallen, 116 Purple Heart Drive Dover AFB, Dover, DE 19902 or to the USO, 2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1200, Arlington, VA 22201. These two organizations have been of significant assistance to the family and it is their desire that Robert will be remembered through these contributions. Visitation will be Friday, July 6, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Badin High School, 571 New London Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45013. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Saturday at St. Julie Billiart Church. Interment with full Military Honors will follow in St. Stephen Cemetery. Online condolences to www.colliganfuneralhome.com