Carmen P. Desiato, Jr

Carmen P. Desiato Jr., age 97, of Louisville, Ohio passed away following a brief illness on June 29, 2021. Born on February 26, 1924 in Youngstown, Ohio, he was the son of the late Carmen (Camillo) and Mary (nee DeSimone) Desiato. Carmen is survived by a sister, Marie Wiese; five children, Cindy Koehler, Timothy (Mary Sue) Desiato, MD, Linda Young, Steve Desiato, and Paul (Tammy) Desiato; eight grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

He lived in the same house that he built in 1952 until a few weeks before passing. He also built houses for his parents, four of his children and local contractors. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by Helen, his wife of 66 years; a brother, Pat Desiato; brother-in-law, Don Wiese; son-in-law, Dale Koehler; son-in-law, Dennis Young; and grandson-in-law, Kevin Wagner.

During World War II, Carmen was a B-17 flight engineer and upper turret gunner. He was a member of the 398th Bomb Group based in England flying missions primarily over Germany. During his squadron’s final mission, civilians working at an armament factory in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia were notified two hours prior to the daylight raid to reduce casualties. This was the first time a pre-raid warning was broadcast.

After the war, Carmen returned to Louisville and worked at Republic Steel. He took an early retirement in 1972 and became a full-time carpenter. During his eighties, he continued to help friends with home improvement projects and to assist his wife with her craft business. He remained active into his mid-nineties in his workshop where he enjoyed building furniture and toys for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carmen was a member of VFW Post 3747 where he was well known for assisting with their finish carpentry and remodeling.

A private service was held for the family at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio after arrangements were made by Paquelet-Falk Funeral Home. Messages of condolence may be left at www.paqueletfalk.com/carmen-p-desiato-jr