Bazzani - Fred
FRED BAZZANI
Note: from your Montgomery County InGENWeb coordinator,
Karen Bazzani Zach. If you knew my dad, you'd know THIS is
the PEFECT picture !! He was an absolute riot !!
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Source: Waveland Independent, May 25, 1939 -- last Sunday the Waveland CCC Camp baseball team went to Waynetown and easily defeated the team from that town. Wyant, pitching for the camp team had Waynetown completely at his mercy. He allowed only 3 scratch hits, struck out 14 men and gave only two base on balls. At the same time the camp team made 15 hits, 3 of them two baggers and one home run. Early season prospects are for the best team the camp has ever had. Mr. Search, the Educational Advisor, is again acting as coach and selected a squad of 12 from a list of 35 who tried out for the team. They are: Catchers: Wittenmyer, Figliolo; Pitchers; Wiant; Purcell; Ryback; Daniels; Infields: Earls, Steed; Charters; Ray; Thompson; Purcell; Smith. Outfielders: Vanzo; Reynolds; BAZZANI; Ryback, Collins. Next Sunday the team will play at Alamo and the following Saturday will play the team of the Indiana State Farm at Putnamville. Clarence SWANGAN, one of the 3 enrollees who have been with the camp since its organization in 1935, has just left to accept a position as chief cook in a restaurant in Chicago. The only two now remaining John REYNOLDS mess steward and Ray JONES first cook. Born Fernado, but legally changed his name to Fred around 1972.
Note: He did NOT want to have the same name as his dead brother (born with umbilical cord around neck buried in Lotta, Fanano, Italy) so he had it legally changed. He retired from Postal duty as a rural mail carrier after a car accident on the mail route, in which he had his neck broken. Accident occurred about 1/2 way out of the county road north of Waveland going to the Shades.
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Source: July 1976 Journal-Review --
Postman's condition fair today. Waveland -- A Waveland postal carrier is in fair condition today in Methodist Hospital at indianapolis after being injured in a traffic accident. A hospital spokesman said Fred Bazzani, 55 of Rt. 1, Waveland is in the constant care unit at the hospital. State police said a car driven by Bazzani and a truck driven by Jim Barnes, 21 of Rockville were involved in an accident on Co. Rd 750 W south of Co. Rd 850 S. about 9 a.m. last Thursday. Bazzani slowed down to cross a narrow bridge and skidded into the path of the truck. He received abrasions and cuts to the leg and arm. His car received $3,000 damage (Note: his car was completely totalled -- hard to believe anyone could have gotten out of it and Fred didn't just have abrasions he had a broken neck. Luckily, Jim Barnes' parents had a mortuary in Rockville and he knew Dad's neck was broken so he braced it and made sure the ambulance people knew it, too or dad may not have mad it at all. He lived another 20 some years but not physically what he had been - kbz).
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Source: Likely Tri-County News, not sure of what year but about 1959 ?? Newspaper - The Montgomery Co Rural Carriers & Aux met at the Waveland Christian Church Dec 14. The tables were beautifully decorated and clver place cards marked places for 28 guests. Ralph Fry, State chaplain of Cloverdale returned thanks and a delicious meal prepared and served by the ladies of the Church was enjoyed. NR Walker played organ music before and during the meal. The business meeting was then held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bazzani. A gift exchange was enjoyed & refreshmetns were served to 22 members and 9 guests.
same newspaper - M/M Fred Bazzani entertained with a party at their home Sunday evening honoring the birthdays of Karen, Larry & Garry. A clever contest was won by Jim Grimes. Movie cartoons were shown & the group enjoyed playing games. Refreshments of decorated cupcakes, cookies, candy & punch were served to Elaine Cosby; Nancy Wright; Eliz. Howard; Betsy & Sammy Milligan; Mary & Dennis Curry; Don Evans; Bill & Jim Grimes; Herb Miller; Ted Whitecotton; Mike Handley & 3 honored guests.
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Source: Waveland Independent April 15, 1954
Civic Improvement Street Signs and House numbers -after many months of talking about it, after many wanderings about the town, after many hours of scanning the plats, the committee made up of members of the Town Board and of the Local Lions Club has finally prepared a listing of the numbers to be assigned to houses on the streets of Waveland. The street signs should arrive any day; and will be installed as soon as they arrive. E. Green Street - North Side - 102 Heslar's Garage; 104 Brook's Barbershop; 110 Handley's Garage; 114 Tom Durham property; 118 Ellen Rankin; 122 Methodist Church; 202 Norman Walker; 204 FRED BAZZANI; 206 Mrs. Ida Reiter; 208 Helen Kelso; 302 Charles Barr; 308 Tom Burnham etcetera.
In personals of same paper -- Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bazzani and Mr. and Mrs. Malcomb Erwin spent the weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen, Larry and Garry spent the weekend with their grandparents at Clinton.
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Source: Waveland Independent Nov 1955 --
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bazzani, Karen, Larry & Garry entertained friends at a Halloween party at their home Monday night. All came masked and favors were given each one at the door. Pictures were taken after which cards were played and contests were enjoyed. Contest winners were Mrs. Janie Machledt and Mrs. Charlotte Wichman. Halloween decorations were used in the dining room where refreshments were served to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wichmann, Rhonda and Paula of near Greencastle, Mr. and Mrs. William Machledt and Freddie, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Rafferty, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Crutchfield, Mr. and Mrs. Norris Kelsey, Janet, Rita and Nancy, Mr. and Mr. Malcom Erwin, Lois and Tommy all of Waveland.
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Source: Thurs, Nov 17, 1955 -- pg. 1 -- Tri-County News
Fred Bazzani and Kenneth Rafferty of the local Legion Post, marched as color guards in the Veterans Day parade at Rockville Friday. They were luncheon guests of the Rockville Legion post.
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Source:: Family Histories of Montgomery County, Indiana 1823-1988 p 87
"Neither snow, nor rain nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their apopinted route." Thus reads the mail carrier's creed. Fred Bazzani was the Waveland rural mail carrier from 1951 thruogh 1976 and always followed the above code. He was born Aug. 26, 1920 in Universal, IN the son of Italian Immigrants, Antonio and Carolina (Berti) Bazzani. Fred graduated from Clinton HS in 1938, then went to the CCC at Shades State Park. He served on the foreign front in WWII as a medic and Chaplain's assistant. After his discharge, he married (April 20, 1946 in Terre Haute) Kathryn Geneva Smith, born July 8, 1920 in Parke County., IN to Leland "Carl" and Sarah 'Hazel" Morgan Smith. kate graduated from Waveland HS in 1938. After their marriage, Fred attended Rose Poly. Besides his postal job, Fred also worked for Goodman's, Machledt and Servies and operated a private floor covering business. kate worked as a telephone operator in Waveland and Mallory's in Indianapolis before marrying. Later, she was a secretary/reporter for the Tri-County News. Kate died Nov 11, 1982. Fred is now married to the former Doris Simpson of Waveland. The Bazzani's had twin sons, Larry and Garry, born Dec 21, 1946 in Terre Haute and a daughter, Karen born Dec 15, 1949 in Crawfordsville. Larry married Linda Kay Weaver, born June 15, 1948 the d/o Charles and Marie (Parish) Weaver. Larry won the Purple heart during the Vietnam conflict. He is employed at RR Donnelleys. His son, Robby also works there. Their daughter, Nikki is majoring in Elementary Education at Ball State. Garry married Arlene Layne, born Sept 22, 1948, the d/o Harold and Gloria (Nicholson) Layne, Garry is a graduate of Wabash College and is a supervising manager at Raybestos. They have two daughters, born both in Crawfordsville, Amy Suzanne and Heather Lynn. The girls are students at Southmont. Karen married James William "Jim" Zach, see Zach history. Karen is a 1985 grad. of ISU in School Media and received her Master's of Library Science in 1988 from Indiana University. She is the Children's Librarian at the Crawfordsville District Public Library. She is affiliated with many historical societies including Dorothy Q Chapter, DAR where she is currently Regent. Also, the Montgomery and Fountain Co. Historical Societies, Indiana State Historical Society, Indiana Genealogy Society, Soc of Indiana Pioneers and Genealogy Section of MCHS. She also belongs to work-related organizations, such as Association of Indiana Media, Indiana Library Associatino, American Library Associaiton and Stories, Inc. A majojr love for Karen is writing "Family Roots" in Montgomery Magazine where she often features the Bazzani Klan.
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Source: Waveland Independent, May 17, 1951
Several months ago four Waveland men took examinations for the Waveland Rural Route which finally went to Mr. Bazzani. He is accompanying John Gilliland, substitute route man who has been carrying the mail since Ira Sharp retired Feb 1, 1950 and will take over the route May 21. Mr. Bazzani has been employed with the Goodman Store in Crawfordsville.
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Source: US WWII Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Fred Bazzani
Birth: 1920
Nativity State: Indiana
Residence State: Indiana
County: Vermillion
Enlisted: 14 August 1942
Enlistment State: Indiana
Enlistment City: Ft. Benjamin Harrison
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Pvt Grade
Code; Pvt
Terms: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law. -- Voluntary enlistments effective Dec 8, 1941 and thereafter; one years enlistments ... Source: Civil Life Education: 4 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Carpenters apprentice
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 69"
Weight: 134
Source: US Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Death File Name: Fred Bazzani
Birth Date: 26 Aug 1920
Death Date: 17 Jan 1997
SSNumber:
Branch : Army Enlistment Date: 14 August 1942
Release date: 25 Dec 1945
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Source: Crawfordsville Journal-Review July 11, 1957 p 4 (found by his granddaughter, Suzie Zach Baldwin on July 25, 2013)
Waveland - Robert Bennett, a Navy veteran of WWII, was installed as commander of Raymond Todd Post No 323 of the American Legion during ceremonies at the post hall in Waveland Tuesday night. He succeeds Carlos France, who directed the affairs of the post the past year. Others who will serve as officers during the coming year are: B. Thomas, 1st Vice Commander Robert Hester, 2nd Vice Commander Leslie Allen, Adjutant Edwin Pressler Finance Officer Carlos France, Chaplain Fred Bazzanni (sic) Service Officer Cecil Stewart Sgt. at Arms A.L. Browning, former commander of the Crawfordsville Post, installed the newly elected officers. He was assisted by Russell L. Hesler, another former commander of Crawfordsville post who served as the Sgt - at- Ams. One out of ever 3 families in the US has a financial income in addition to earnings from regular employment.
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Source: Tri-County News, June 5, 1958
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bazzani and family and Miss Hulda Smith attended the Chicago Cubs & LA Dodgers ballgame at Wrigly Field in Chicago Sunday. They also called on Mr. and Mrs. George Mahris and daughters of Chicago & Mr. and Mrs. Bill Machledt & Freddie of W. Lebanon.
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Thoughts of Ron Keedy, who was at our house in 1962-64 range a lot with many other Waveland kids
-- He was a baritone-voiced, wise-cracking, always-smiling, 100% family man who always saw the good in everyone. He could be salty at times, but never malicious. He adored his wife, loved his children, his home and his town. If you needed help, he was always there and, more often than not, refused payment for any services because he didn't consider it work, but helping a friend. He was everything I was looking for in a father and, when my own family was falling apart, kept me going on the right path and never told a soul because he didn't want a young man to be embarrassed. The only time we ever disagreed was when he made me try bagna caulda. I would not have made it through Waveland High School without him in the background. Today, I salute all Veterans, but especially my friend, Fred Bazzani, who served his country because that was the right thing to do.
Source: Zach, Karen B. Montgomery: Your County Magazine. December 1982 p 19 (photo not available)
I have a multi-purpose reason for writing this article. For one thing, I feel the rural mail carriers of America need to be patted on the back. This is also a dedication to one of the best, my dad, Fred Bazzani. I’ve had a couple of good ones myself, so stand-up and take a bow, Rex Linn and Leland Epperson. Thirdly, I’m writing about the Waveland rural mail carriers particularly, because Waveland has their Sesquicentennial fast approaching and I’d like for the people of the SW corner of Montgomery County to begin thinking about their 150th birthday. To begin with, I don’t intend this to be a complete history of the mail carriers of Waveland, as I’m not sure I have them all (but I think I do) since I’m still waiting on a list from the government I requested over three years ago. I do, however think it’s an interesting story because these men have touched so many folks’ lives.
I’ll save my favorite guy until last and begin by telling you at one time, Browns Valley had its own mail route. It was later incorporated (1932) into Rt 7 Crawfordsville and the Waveland routes. John W. Bayless was the carrier in the early 1900s and his horse and buggy is shown here (sorry but you can get a copy of it at the Crawfordsville Public Library – thanks to Grace McMurray for the loan of the photo). George Slavens was the first mail carrier remembered on the Waveland rural route. He was born Dec 15, 1879, the son of WT (William Thomas) Slavens and wife (Nancy Webb). He married Stella May McClain (daughter of David and Sarah Blake McClain) at Phoebus, Virginia on Dec 22, 1915. They had at least one child, Mrs. Gilbert Thomas. George serve in the Spanish American War and WWI. He carried mail for 14 years.
Two rural routes existed at the same time out of Waveland. Slavens had the one and Ira J. Sharp the other. Ira later became the only carrier when the two routes were made one. Ira holds the record for carrying mail the longest – 33 years. He was born and lived his whole life in Waveland. On the 12th of December, 1882, Ira first enlightened this world on a cold morning. He was the son of Theodore and Louise Hendrickson Sharp. He belonged to the Lions Club for many years and the Waveland Covenant Church. He had one daughter, Margaret Louise (Mrs. Ray Miller). His grandson, Ted Miller still owns the 1950 DeSoto Ira used at the end of his mail career. Ira died in September 1967.
John Gilliland drove as a substitute for two years when Ira became ill. John was born May 28, 1904 in Waveland, the son of John W. and Lou Moody Gilliland. He was also sub for several years.
My dad, Fred Bazzani received the route from John on May 21, 1951. Before I tell you about dad, though, I’d like to finish this portion of the article telling you about the other subs and the man who now has the route. Arthur W. “Jargo” Jarvis subbed for many years. His main occupation was raising unique types of chickens. He shipped them all over the world. He was a veteran of WWI and died at the age of 72 in November 1967.
The present sub is Rich Dickerson. Rich isn’t from Waveland but his wife, Jeannie is, so many residents of the town and community laugh and call him, Mr. Jeannie Hunt (I wonder if they call my husband Mr. Karen Bazzani?).
Rich subs for Bob Myers. Bob was born in Fountain County Aug 7, 1925 to Herman and Hazel (Purnell) Myers. He married Bess Bever from Hillsboro. Bob and Bess have Bev and Betty, twins; and Jeff and Joyce. Bob subbed for my dad for several years before taking over the route when Dad broke his neck. Bob had several memories to share with me. He said his 1958 automatic was the best car ever on the route. He also remembered a year when he didn’t have to take the mail for four days because of bad weather. He thought it comical the effects mail has on the people. Some could care less about their mail and let it stack-up in their boxes for days. Others set their clocks, get up and meet him at the boxes with expectant faces each day. He said he enjoys doing little favors for the old as they appreciate it so.
Joe Todd was also a sub. Need to check him out farther.
Now to Dad! He is presently waiting on his retirement from the mail service and spends his time cutting wood, laying carpet and mainly puttering around. Dad is definitely not an idle person as the hundreds of you reading this who know him realize. He carried mail for 29 years, four of which was counted from his WWII service. Dad, too, had much reminiscing to do. For one thing, he enjoyed carrying mail and loved the people, especially the old-timers He liked the little jokes they played and when he could repay them One not so funny joke was when he reached in a mailbox to throw in the letters and he saw a sleek body of a live snake. When I asked him what kind it was, “Well, I don’t know – didn’t take the time to look!”
Dad enjoyed seeing the kids grow-up and the families multiply. At one time, he had five generations of the Simpson-Moody family on the route (Gma’ Simpson – Florence Lamson), Ray E., Ruby Simpson (married to Oscar Moody); Dennis and his daughter, Molly. He also received Valentines galore but one little girl always wrote him a note.
I remember not being able to eat from our kitchen table because of mountain of Christmas presents. There was always a cherry pie from Dorothy and Max Mitchell, eggs from Melissa McMurray (her name’s Grace Melissa but Dad’s always called her Melissa ever since he noticed it on a letter many years ago), stack of hankies and socks and he always received money. One year a long time ago, he received $80 in cash and bought the fanciest dress suit he could find and was gleeful at how he obtained it. Dad said he could never begin to thank them all. He fondly remember a family who couldn’t afford their own food, but always gave him a present every year.
Grace (Melissa) told me she sat her clocks by always-prompt Fred Bazzani. I also have a letter Grace (a Deers Mill resident, now deceased) Olmstead wrote to the Postmaster General in 1975 regarding my dad and Bob Myers. She wrote, “I want to express my appreciation for the mail service I have here in the county. I’ve had the same two mail men since coming here in 1955 from Cincinnati. I have nothing but praise for each of them. I have never had one complaint in their service and to me they are THE BEST!” The Postmaster General in his reply, stated he was pleased to learn of the fine work of Bazzani and Myers and hoped their ”pride in service” would become a hallmark for all postal people!
Rich Dickerson and Jack Reynolds I believe have been the two following and both great ones, as well! If anyone has any remembrances of the two of them – would love it !!
