James Edward “Tony” Ciochetto, age 87, passed away December 22, 2018. He was born on March 24, 1931 to Joseph A. Ciochetto and Clara Micheletto in Chisholm, Minnesota. He was raised in Chisholm, Minnesota all his early years. At seventeen he worked for the railroad and then enlisted in the United States Navy in 1948. He served in the United States Navy from 1948 to 1972. He attained the rank of USN Master Chief. During his service to our country he was awarded the Good Conduct Award (Sixth), Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, China Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Gallantry Cross) United Nations Service Medal.
James married his wife of sixty-seven years on May 31, 1951. Chief Ciochetto was a decorated retired Naval Master Chief as well as a loving dad, husband, father, son, brother and grandfather. He was very proud of his Italian heritage and was devoted to his wife Mela. James had a love of learning and was always curious about subjects that interested him. With his mechanical background he could tinker and construct various projects around the house. He had a love for reading, foreign languages and fixing clocks and watches. He loved enjoying a good meal. In his later years he enjoyed watching reruns of MASH, Gunsmoke and Bonanza.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Manuela who recently passed away on November 9th, 2018, his sons, Nicholas, Lewis and Anthony Ciochetto, his parents and brother, Gerald Ciochetto. He is survived by his sisters, Gloria Donovan and Christy Henney, daughters, Wanda Ciochetto, Victoria Ciochetto (Tom) and Belinda Carter (Alan), grandchildren: Bill Selk (Lisa), Jenn Fink, George Seto, Jr. (Ronda), Sonya Seto (Sam), Barzan, Connie, Shayda and Schwan Hosseini, Matt and Megan Carter, Adam Ciochetto (Suzanne), Andrew Ciochetto, Anthony Ciochetto (Jessica) as well as seventeen great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
The family would like to thank Grace and Manuel Sedillo, Elida and Rey Reyes and the Rocha family for their care and help with him as he aged. Special thanks to Barzan Hosseini for running over whenever dad needed a male to drink a beer with, as well as Wanda Ciochetto and Jenn Fink for their tireless care, love and prayers in his last days.
Thanks and appreciation to Angel Bright Hospice Care and the nurses and staff at The Heart Hospital.
A Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel. A Rosary and Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow with Military Honors at Seaside Memorial Park.
Having the distinguished honor to serve as pallbearers are his grandsons: William D. Selk, Barzan Hosseini, Adam Ciochetto, George Seto, Manuel Sedillo and Gilbert Rocha.
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