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| Claudia's children with John Angelo Guzzo |
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| Sandra "Sandi" Jean Guzzo Massello |
| John Angelo Guzzo Jr. |
Claudia Mavis Hill and John Angelo Guzzo shared a life that spanned from rural North Carolina to bustling New York, united by a whirlwind wartime romance and a shared journey of raising a family. Their story reflects dedication to education, military service, and finding a cherished home in their later years.
Claudia Mavis Hill was born on August 15, 1925, in Johnston County, North Carolina. She was the second child of Raymond and Mavis Stancil Hill. Described as petite and very pretty, Claudia graduated from Glendale High School. After completing her education, sh e ventured north, moving to New York, where she resided with her Aunt Eula, who owned a beauty shop there.
John Angelo Guzzo grew up in Yonkers, New York. He was the son of Angelo and Josephine Merola Guzzo. John later served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Claudia and John's paths converged in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where Claudia was working as a dental hygienist. John, stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, was her patient, undergoing dental work. Their connection was immediate, leading to a whirlwind courtship. They were married June 19, 1945, at Fort Bragg, solidifying their bond amidst the backdrop of wartime service.
Following their marriage, Claudia and John's early years were characterized by military relocations, moving several times from North Carolina to Alabama and then to Georgia.
They welcomed two children: a daughter, Sandra J., born on August 17, 1946, and a son, John Angelo Jr., born on August 17, 1948.
After his military service, John Angelo Guzzo Sr. dedicated his career to education, rising to become the Director of Secondary Education for the Yonkers Public School System in New York.
Their children established their own families:
Upon John's retirement, the couple decided to move back to Johnston County, North Carolina, bringing their journey full circle back to Claudia's home state.
John Angelo Guzzo Sr. passed away on April 4, 1988, in Wilson Memorial Hospital. At the time of his death, John Angelo Jr. resided in Yonkers, New York, while Claudia lived in Brewster, New York. John Sr. was laid to rest in Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, New York, near Yonkers.
Claudia Mavis Hill Guzzo passed away on November 18, 2004, in Johnston County, North Carolina. She is buried beside her beloved husband, John, in Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.
Claudia and John's shared life is remembered for their dedication to family, their adaptability in navigating various locales, and John's commitment to shaping young minds through education.