A. James Gemignani

GEMIGNANI, DIVICHI, HAIDL, BRITTON, GOMEZ, HACKETT, ONEILL PEARSON

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/14/2006 at 18:48:19

The Clinton Herald
Published: July 14, 2006 02:29 pm

A. James Gemignani

Visitation: 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at DeRoo Funeral Home, Moline, with a Christian wake service at 1:30 p.m.

SERVICES: 10 a.m. Monday at St. Anne Catholic Church, East Moline.

MOLINE, Ill. — A. James Gemignani, 84, of Moline, died Thursday at Trinity Pathway Hospice at Terrace Park, Bettendorf.

Entombment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, East Moline, Ill., with military service by the Marine Honor Guard.

He was born Nov. 10, 1921, in Morrison, Ill., to Guido and Olga DiVichi Gemignani. He married Rose Marie Haidl on Jan. 16, 1945, in Chicago. She died in 1996.

He was a sergeant in the Marine Corps and a World War II veteran. He served in the Soloman Island Group in the Pacific Theatre. He was sent overseas for 19 months in 1943 serving in New Hebrides, Efate, Munda, Russell Islands, Vella La Vella and Bougainville. He spent most of his time with Marine Air Group 23 and 24 Headquarters, a detached unit for fighter operations, setting up ready operations on capture and new airstrips for incoming fighter pilots. When he returned to the United States, he spent time at El Toro Air Base in California and Oak Grove (N.C.) Air Base where he received his honorable discharge. He earned five battle stars and two presidential citations.

He was district manager with Prudential Insurance Co., Moline, for 15 years. He worked with the 7-Up Co., Moline, for 25 years as district sales manager until his retirement in 1970. He also owned the Mr. Quick Restaurant, Clinton.

He was a 50-year member of Moline Legion Post 246. He was president of the local chapter for the U.S. Air Force Academy, past president of the Q.C. Life Underwriters Association and past president of the Moline Dad’s Club for two years. He was past president of the Alleman Catholic High School Booster Club and served on the St. Anne Parish Council for nine years. He was a charter member of the Alleman Catholic High School Hall of Fame Committee and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. He was a charter member of World War II America’s National Memorial Society, Washington, D.C. He was a charter member of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, Fredricksburg, Texas, and VFW member at large. He was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League and also a charter member of the Gung Ho Marine Club. He was a member of the Society of Italian Americans. He sponsored the Rose Marie Gemignani Memorial Field at the Alleman Catholic High School Sports Complex. He also was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, East Moline.

Survivors include daughters, Janice Marie (Donald) Britton of Preemption, Ill., Deborah Ann (Bob) Gomez of Coal Valley, Ill., Karen Frances (Terry) Hackett of Davenport, Lisa Louise (Curt) O’Neill of Moline; sons, Robert James (Paulette) Gemignani and Thomas William Gemignani, both of Houston; one sister, Gloria June Pearson of Clinton; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Memorials may be made to Alleman Catholic High School.

Condolences may be made online at www.deroofuneralhome.com.

Death date: July 13, 2006