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TECHNICIAN
FIFTH CLASS LEOPOLD RENZI was born around 1919 to Joseph and Edna Renzi.
He grew up at 922 Howard Street in Camden NJ.
In 1930 the Renzi Family owned the home, and the family included
Joseph’s older brother Fred Renzi, and an adult nephew, Leopold Pieri.
The Renzi brothers had emigrated to America from Italy in 1929. Leopold
Pieri was a recent arrival, having been born in Brazil and coming to the
United States in 1929. All three men worked as construction laborers.
Known
to family and friends as Leo, he was a graduate of the Holy Name Catholic School in the North Camden section of Camden. Prior to entering the
Army, he had his own neon sign business in the 200 block of Larch Street
in North Camden. Leo Renzi trained homing and
racing pigeons, and was a member of the Racing Pigeon Club of New Jersey.
Prior to going overseas, he had become engaged to Theresa McCready
The
Monday, June 22, 1942 edition of the Camden NJ Courier-Post reported
that Leo Renzi, then 22 years of age, was receiving basic training
at the Cavalry Replacement Center at Fort Riley Kansas. He was assigned
to Troop B of the 117th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 102nd Cavalry
Group.
Technician
Fifth Class Leopold Renzi was
killed in action on September 3rd, 1944 during the battle for Montreval,
France. He was survived by his parents and fiance. Theresa McCready
later married Jeremiah "Jerry"Kelly. Jerry Kelly's brother, Leo
James Kelly, was also killed in action during trhe war. The Kelly
family owned Kelly's Cafe at 69 State Street into the 1970s. |
