Death of “Our Soldier Boy” Louis Gregg Scanavino 23 October 1918
Louis Scanavino “Our Soldier Boy” died at Camp Sheridan, Alabama- October 23, 1918- 26 years old, 9 months, 28 days.
LOUIS GREGG SCANAVINO (born 1891- died 1918)
Bridgeport Chronicle-Union, 11/23/1918:
Death of “Our Soldier Boy” Louis Gregg Scanavino.
Louis Gregg Scanavino, one of the best known Citizens of this section, died at Camp Sheridan, in Alabama, Wednesday afternoon, October 23d, at six o’clock.
Louis Scanavino was born at the Goat Ranch near Bodie, California December 25, 1891, and was therefore 26 years and 9 months and 28 days of age at the time of his death.
~~~He was a “native son of high personal character,” industrious and well respected by all who knew him. He was always willing to help anyone with credit to himself and the people he represented.~~~~
~~~He lived with his Folks from childhood to manhood, and up to the time he was called to the colors, July 23, 1918. He was first sent to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he at once joined the Medical Corps. ~~~
After a months stay in Kansas, he was transferred to Camp Sheridan, Alabama, where he trained for two months, when on October 23, 1918, word was received, “that he died of influenza-pneumonia after suffering eight days with it.” His remains were shipped to his Mother at Bodie, California, at which place the Funeral was held Saturday, November 2d.
The fenced Scanavino “family plot”- all the graves facing the towards town- Bodie Miners’ Union section of the Cemetery.
The Services were held in the Bodie Miners’ Union Hall, and were conducted by Judge Pat. R. Parker, of Bridgeport.
His “casket was covered with a profusion of flowers,” supplied by the people of Bodie and Bridgeport. A large American flag was sent with the body, wrapped around the casket.
~~~Relatives, friends and acquaintances accompanied the remains to their Resting Place. As the casket was lowered the tears of the friends mingled with those of the bereaved relatives of the Soldier, “who died for the country that he loved – U. S. A.”
When he left to go fight for his country he went willingly, and said to his relatives and friends “he was going to give his life up that you and I might have Liberty and Peace.”
“Scan,” as he was nicknamed in the Army, was a Whole-Souled and Genial Fellow, numbering his friends by the score, silent when he could not say a good word for a Fellow Being.
The Deceased leaves to mourn his loss besides a beloved Mother, four Sisters and six Brothers, namely: Mrs. Kate Dondero, of Hawthorne, Nev.; Mrs. Mary Pimentel of Bodie, Calif.; Mrs. Adell Bauers of Stockton, Calif.; Steve Scanavino in active Service in France; Peter Scanavino ,who is in Class one; Miss Theresa Scanavino; Paul, Dave and Victor Scanavino, all of Bodie, Calif. He also leaves one nephew and three nieces.
~~~The Bereaved Family have the Sympathy of the Entire Community.~~~~
Instead of wearing our little service pins
With double stars of blue,
We change one star to golden hue,
But still keep, O God, our service pins
With one star of blue!
– T. S.
“We give unto the end until the World be Free.” Mrs. M. Scanavino and family.