Valentino Prencipe was born April 11, 1897 in Vieste, Italia. He registered for military service June 12, 1916 at the Foggia military district and became a sellario, a saddler or shoemaker in the Italian 11th Cavalry unit. He was initially stationed near the Italian-Austrian border, and later served in North Africa. The only injury he incurred during the war was when a horse stepped on his foot. Valentino was honorably discharged May 24, 1920, and received the Ordine Di Vittorio Veneto and Medagalia-Ricordo in Oro Della I Guerra Mondiale service decorations. He emigrated to the United States that same year, entering Ellis Island in November, and residing with his older brother, Michelantonio (1895-1980). His first job was with Trumbull Steel. He and Michelantonio became naturalized citizens in September of 1927. Valentino returned to Italy to visit his family from 1927-1929, returning to the United States the year the stock market crashed. From the 1930’s into the 1950’s he owned and operated the United Shoe Repair Shop at 1115 West Market Street. Valentino was married for fifty years to Angelina M. Vescera (1913-2015), and the couple raised two sons, Reno and Gene. He died on March 5, 1985 and is buried in All Souls Cemetery, Cortland, Ohio. Gift of Reno Prencipe.
