Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ceaser Tordi

March 20, 1910 - May 6, 2007

South Bend Tribune 5/8/2007
MISHAWAKA - Ceaser Tordi, 97, died peacefully in his home on Sunday, May 6, following a brief illness. Ceaser was born in Rimini, Italy, on March 20, 1910, to August and Delcisa Tordi. He, along with his mother and sister, came to the United States in January 1921. They joined his father, who had previously come to this country and settled in Mishawaka.

On August 1, 1936, Ceaser married the former Agnes Lacchini at St. Monica's Church in Mishawaka. Early in their marriage he became a United States citizen on February 4, 1937. Ceaser and Agnes shared 63 years of marriage before she passed away on November 24, 1999. Surviving Ceaser are two daughters, Veronica (Dennis) Maggioli of Mishawaka and Florine Novak of Granger; and a son, Robert (Susan) Tordi of Granger. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Karen (John) Radde, Kevin (Jill) Maggioli, Greg (Sandy) Maggioli, Jeff Maggioli, Teresa (Mike) Steach, John (Marsha) Tordi, Chris (Kim) Tordi, Jeanie (Tony) Phipps, Mia Novak and Gina Novak; and 23 great-grandchildren. Ceaser is also survived by a sister, Josephine Van Paemel. In addition to his parents and wife Agnes, Ceaser was preceded in death by a son, August in 1964, a son-in-law, Paul Novak in 2004, and by two brothers and a sister.

Ceaser was a hard-working and devoted husband and father, teaching strong values and morals, with the family always coming first. He was very outgoing and friendly, never meeting anyone he could not talk to. Ceaser enjoyed and appreciated life, loving to "tinker" around his house and work in the garden. Later in his life he enjoyed the companionship of his dog "Vino," and riding his tricycle in the neighborhood. In his younger years Ceaser enjoyed making wine, hunting and fishing, playing "bocce" ball, and participating in activities at the DeAmicis Club. He was a parishioner of Saint Bavo Catholic Church and was an original member of the DeAmicis Italian-American Club. Ceaser worked at the Studebaker Corp. for 36 years and then at Dodge Mfg. Co. from which he retired in 1975.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, in Saint Bavo Church, with Father Barry England officiating. The burial will follow the service at Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka. Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. today, Tuesday, May 8, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 West 8th Street, Mishawaka, where wake prayers will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Saint Bavo School or to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care.