In Memory: American to the core

EAST COUNTY — This weekend, as the nation remembers those who have lost their lives while serving in the nation’s military, East County residents will remember one of their own.

Local World War II veteran Joseph Samuel Nocco died May 2. He was 94 years old.

Family and friends gathered Tuesday, May 22, at Braden River Presbyterian Church to celebrate his life during a special memorial service. Nocco will be buried in July in Naperville, Ill.

“We will all miss Joe and his warm smile he always had on his face,” local VFW Post 12055 Cmdr. Dave Daily said. “He was one of those people who brightened a room. His smile was contagious.”

“Post 12055 lost a valued member and friend,” he said. “Our great nation lost a hero.”

Nocco’s children said their dad, a conservative, was tough-as-nails and loved a good political discussion. A consummate salesman, he was outgoing and personable and loved to dress up when going out.

His love for his country extended beyond his military service, as well, because Nocco served in political positions in his home state of Illinois and locally served as an election judge for more than 20 years. With the VFW, Nocco helped raise funds for national and local programs such as the VFW National Home for Children and VFW Adopt-A-Unit, among others.

“He was a true patriot,” Nocco’s son, Brian, said. “He believed strongly in the American system and was very committed to helping this country be great.”

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Nocco attended Ithaca College in New York, where he played football, baseball and ran track. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 as a lieutenant, serving in the European Theater during World War II.

Nocco’s children said he rarely spoke to them about the war or his time in the military, unless it was a memory that would make them laugh.

He would tell them how he broke his nose so many times playing football he had to have the cartilage in it removed. Because of the condition, both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force turned him down for enlistment.He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, joining as a lieutenant because of his college education.

“He said he wanted to fly like crazy,” Nocco’s daughter, Capri Wettour said. “He went through flight school, but he never got to be a pilot. He said, ultimately, that probably saved his life.”

For basic training in flight school, Nocco roomed with legendary coach Woody Hayes.

“He said Woody was tough as nails back then,” Brian Nocco said, adding his dad attributed Hayes with helping him pass flight school.

Nocco also recounted stories to his family of D-Day. Because Nocco was Italian by heritage and knew some Italian, when he and his contingency landed in Italy on D-Day, his supervisor put him in charge of translating.

“He was panicked about it,” Brian Nocco said. “He got out his Italian translation dictionary, and when the mayor of the town heard him, he said, ‘You’re from Chicago; I know your accent.’ He was off the hook.”

Nocco also joked he was selected to lead a minesweeping operation because he came from a mining town.

After being discharged from the military in 1946, Nocco moved to the Chicago area. There, he worked for IBM, in various positions, until his retirement in 1974.

Nocco moved to Bradenton full time 25 years ago, finding a home in the Garden Lakes community.

He got involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12055 in the East County in 2007, although he had become less active, because of illness, over the last two years, members said.

“I didn’t know Joe very well, but he helped us distribute poppies a couple of times,” VFW member George Johnston said. “He really enjoyed talking with all the veterans, especially the other World War II vets in our VFW post.”

Nocco was active in the Garden Lakes community, serving on its board of directors in various capacities for many years, and volunteered at Sarasota Memorial Hospital for 15 years. He also was active in his church, Braden River Presbyterian Church, and looked forward to serving as an election judge for local and national elections, his children said.

Nocco was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Elizabeth, and his sons, Scott and Kelly Nocco.

He is survived by his children: Brian Nocco, Jody Reynolds, Capri Wettour, Jeffrey Nocco and Tina Nocco; 11 grandchildren; and daughters-in-law Donna Nocco and Karen Nocco.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sarasota Memorial Hospital or Braden River Presbyterian Church.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].