Patrick F. Ciandella, 89, died peacefully at his home in Sharpsburg, Ga., with his loving wife of 60 years at his side, on May 22, 2012.
He was born in Jersey City, N.J., on June 21, 1923.
After Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for the Army Air Corp. During the war, he “Flew the Hump” from bases in India and Burma to deliver supplies to Chinese troops fighting the Japanese in China. He was awarded an Air Medal and two Distinguished Flying Crosses for his service. Following the war, he worked for a number of civil aviation firms and lived for three years in Cairo, Egypt.
He returned to Jersey City to meet and marry his wife, the former Rose Prezioso.
He retired after more than 20 years as an air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Patrick is preceded in death by his daughter, Laurie, his parents Rocco and Mary Ciandella and 11 brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rose Ciandella, and two sons and their wives: Robert Ciandella (Debra Tillar) of New Castle, N. H., and Don Ciandella (Jonah Rivera) of Jersey City, N. J. He is survived also by four grandchildren: Nicole of Washington, DC, Daniele of New York City, and Sofia and Calum of Jersey City.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, June 9, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 101 Walt Banks Road in Peachtree City, at 1:30 p.m. with Father Murphy officiating.
Inurnment will be at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton on Monday, June 11, 2012 at 12 p.m.
