Ponziano J. “Ponzi” Lavatori, 94, a member of the Greatest Generation died peacefully Tuesday, April 22, 2014. The son of the late Nazzareno and Nina (Roberti) Lavatori, he was born in Ridgefield, CT, on May 5, 1919.
Ponzi proudly served his country during World War II as a member of the Army Air Force, serving in Panama. He settled in Ludlow and worked for the Springfield Armory for 20 years. After the closing of the Armory he worked as a stock keeper at Springfield Technical Community College until his retirement with 20 years of service. He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth’s Parish, a proud member of Ludlow Knights of Columbus Council #3535 and a former VFW commander.
Ponzi is survived by his wife of 69 years Alice (Malinowski) Lavatori; a son Gerard of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; He also leaves his brother Eugene Lavatori and his wife Joyce of Ridgefield, CT; 3 sisters Margaret Kunak of Trumbull, CT; Gloria Sharkany and Angelina Santini both of Ridgefield, CT and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services celebrating Ponzi’s life were held Monday, April 28, 2014 at Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home, Ludlow, MA followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial the Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth at St. John the Baptist Church. Right of Committal followed at Island Pond Cemetery in Ludlow. Donations in Ponzi’s memory may be made to St. John the Baptist School, 207 Hubbard St, Ludlow, MA 01056 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St, Watertown, MA 02472. For further information please visit www.KapinosMazurFH.com