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HOLDEN, Mass. - Lt. Colonel Rinaldo “Buck” DelSignore MaARNG (ret), 92, of Holden, former commander of the 181st Engineer Battalion in Whitinsville passed away peacefully Thursday, August 16, 2012 in his home with his devoted family by his side.
Rinaldo is survived by his wife, partner and best friend of the past 70 years which they celebrated on May 23, May E. (Vincent) DelSignore; his four children, Robert P. DelSignore and his wife Cheryl of Princeton, Marie E. DeSantis and her husband Victor of Sterling, Barbara L. Creelman and her husband David of Worcester, Louis P. DelSignore and his wife Gwyn of Princeton; nine grandchildren whom he cherished and who cherished him; 13 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Four brothers, Dr. Augustine, Guerino, Robert and Louis DelSignore and a sister Emelia Ventresca all pre-deceased him.
Buck was born in Worcester, a son of Luigi and Cesidia (Lostracco) DelSignore. He graduated from Worcester Public Schools, entered the U.S. Army to serve his country during World War II, remaining on duty serving in Korea as a company commander with the 271st Infantry, earning two bronze stars; one for meritorious service under fire and the other for courageous actions in the battle of Heartbreak Ridge. Buck returned from Korea and stayed in the guard serving in the engineer and infantry battalions, on the board of the Mass Maritime Academy at Camp Curtis Guild and several positions attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring from the guard in 1970 with 32 years of service.
Among the specialty schools he attended were officer schools at Ft. Belvoir in Virginia, the infantry school , and airborne school at Ft Benning Georgia. Among his medals he also earned two bronze stars and the CIB, (Combat Infantry Badge). Notably, Buck was honored by the Boston Bruins on January 26th 2011 his 32 years of military service. He has lived in Holden since 1966.
Buck worked in the construction field all his life, both in civilian life for the carpenters union local 107 and as superintendant for DelSignore Construction Company before retiring. He previously owned and operated Del Construction.
Buck was a member of St. Richard of Chichester Church, the Greendale Retired Men’s Club and YMCA, the Eastside Post 201 American Legion and the Retired Officers Association. His enjoyments included Golf, reading, walking, and crossword puzzles at which he was a master. As patriarch of the DelSignore family, he was devoted to his family; His wife, children, grand and great grandchildren were his whole life. They were what inspired him and gave him the greatest amount of Joy. To his grandchildren he was considered a giant. The greatest moments in life were spent with them. He will be sorely missed.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family Monday August 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 21 in St. Richard of Chichester, 4 Bridge St., Sterling. Burial with full Military Honors will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.
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