Col. Chester A. Amedia

Col. Chester A, Amedia, 82 Col. Chester A. Amedia, 82, of Poland, Ohio went home to be with the Lord at 3:15 P.m. Thursday afternoon. He was born January 26, 1922, in Erico, Pa., a son of Frank and Lucille (Sack) Amedia. He resided in the Youngstown area since 1928. Col. Amedia was a graduate of Youngstown State University with a B.S. in Education and Business Administration and also from the United States War College and the Armed Forces Staff College. The Colonel, as addressed by friends and family, lived his life as a servant to his fellow man. The law of his heart was to fear God and to be a faithful steward in whatever he was called to do. In so doing, whatever he applied his hands to do, he did so with all of his might. He was an upright man who adhered to the self-disciplines of integrity, charity, wisdom and equality. And his life is a testimony of compassionate giving. His service to his country is a distinguished record of courage and achievement, spanning 39 years of active and reserve tenure. He volunteered for and enlisted into the U.S. Army infantry during WW II on Sept. 29, 1942. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant upon graduation from Infantry School, Ft. Binning April 6, 1943 and was assigned to the 88th Infantry Division as a platoon leader. He then transferred to the US Army Air Force in Sept., 1943 from which he graduated, Class 44E Gulf Coast Training Command, Ellington Field, receiving his Pilot Wings on May 10, 1944. He was selected for Troup Carrier training and then assigned as a pilot with the First Air Commando Group. His crew arrived in India Dec.28, 1944, and then deployed two days later to Northern Burma, joining the 319th, 1st Air Commando Group flying C-47âa�a��s. He served in four battle campaigns in the China, Burma, India theatre, flying the famous âa�A"Humpâa�A�. His service record credits him with 153 Combat Flying Missions as First Pilot. His decorations include the Purple Heart, (two) Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with Three oak Leaf Clusters, Four Battle Stars, the Presidential Unit Citation, and others. Following the war, he remained active in the Air Force Reserve, graduating from Staff and Command School, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Air War College (1962). He was one of a committee of three that worked to locate the Air Force Reserve Base at the Youngstown Airport. While stationed at the Youngstown Air Force Reserve Base, he served in various capacities, including Squadron Commander and Commander of the 757th, and Deputy Group Commander of the 910th, reserve assignment as a Comptroller at Andrews Air Force Base, with special assignment at the Pentagon. He retired from the US Air Force Reserve on May 16, 1974, as Command Pilot with rank of Full Colonel. In July, 1988, he was awarded Wings from the Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Air Force, acknowledging his sacrifice as a member of the China-Burma-India Hump Pilots Assoc. Chester Amedia, Sr. began his employment with the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority in 1950 as Maintenance Superintendent and in 1961 was appointed as Executive Director and Ex-officio Secretary, in which capacity he served until his retirement in Jan.1, 1978. He advanced the causes of safe and sanitary housing for the poor and elderly throughout the Mahoning Valley, the State of Ohio and Nationally. During his tenure, the Authority grew from 618 units to over 2,200. He also served as the Issuing Agent Secretary for all bond and note Sales for the Public Housing Programs for H.U.D. for all Authorities in Ohio (Cleveland excluded). He is honored by the community which dedicated the Amedia Plaza in his name, a 13âa�"story High Rise Senior Citizens complex on Phelps Street, downtown Youngstown. Over the years in the community, Col. Amedia was a major participant in an innumerable amount of civic and charitable activities, some of which are listed herein: Major Parades: Chairman or Advisor, including Armistice Day, Festival of Fights, Memorial Day, Sokol, West and North Side Halloween, Federal Plaza Dedication, Bicentennial, and Youngstown Sesqui-Centennial, St. Patrickâa�a��s Day Military Affairs: Chairman, Armed Forces Week Committee, President- Reserve Officers Assoc.Mahoning Chapter,, Commander-United Veterans Council, Member of the Military Advisory Board, Air Force Aviation Committee, 1 of 17 selected by Air Force Chief of Staff to tour Europe for NATO, Mental and Physical Health organizations: Chairman-Red Cross Fund Drive, Director-American Red Cross, Team Captain-Health & Welfare Council, Board Member Blind Society, President-Easter Seal Society of Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbian Counties, Ohio State Easter Seal Society Board, Ohio Presbyterian Homes, President-Park& Vista Board, member quality assurance committee St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Health Systems Agency Eastern Ohio, Community Affairs: Chairman and member of Bond Levy Bridge Committee member, Community Chest Drive Fund Committee, Director and President-Youngstown Rotary Club, Officer McGuffey Center, President-Casework Practitioners Group Ohio Housing Authority Conference, Treasurer- Youngstown Area Community Action Council, Exec., Committee & President-N.A.H.R.O. Education : President-Hubbard Citizens Comm. For School Levy Passage, Member-United Negro College Fund Drive, Second Vice Chairman âa�" Advisory Council for Vocational Education, President-Choffin School Advisory Board., Chairman-Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority, Youngstown Playhouse, Mayorâa�a��s Commission of Human Rights. Other memberships: AMVETS, R.O.S., ITAM, Youngstown Health & Welfare Council, Air Force Assoc., Associated Neighborhood Centers, McGuffey Centre, Chamber of Commerce, Sons of Italy, Board of Buckeye Elks and the NAACP. Some of Colonel Amediaâa�a��s awards include: 1966 âa�A"Ambassador of Year âa�" Youngs. Area Chamber of Commerce; 1967 Colonel Boals Award âa�" Outstanding Service to Community; 1969 YSU Distinguished Alumnus Award; 1971 Boss of the Year âa�" Yo-Mah-O; 1973 Columbus Day Award for Outstanding Achievements in Community Housing Development; the OTHERS award from the Salvation Army, Veteran of the Year, and the certificate of life membership in the NAACP. His passions included restoring classic cars specializing in Studebakers, helping his family, nieces, nephews, and worshiping His Lord and Savior. His most often used farewell, concluded with âa�¦âa�A�Lord willingâa�A�. Chesterâa�a��s greatest achievement was marrying Cecilia Costarella his wife of 62 years, whom he leaves along with two sons and daughter-in-laws: Dr. Chester Amedia Jr. and Marilyn of Boardman and Frank J. Amedia and Lorilee of Miami, Fl. He also leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Francis Chapman of Supply, N. Carolina; five grandchildren (Adrian, Carisa, Michal, Keshet, and Samuel); one great grandchild (Avery); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, special friends and church family. Preceding him in death and with whom he now resides in Heaven, are his parents; one brother, Charles; and his beloved grandchild, Christian. Friends and family may call from 3:00 pm. To 7:00 p.m., Sunday, at the Cunningham- Becker Funeral Home in Poland. A prayer service will convene at 10:00 a.m., at the Home, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Monday, at St. Johnâa�a��s Episcopal Church located at 323 Wick Ave. Youngstown, with Rev. John Horner officiating. An honor guard provided by the Youngstown Air Force Reserve Base will recognize Colonel Amedia. accordingly. Material tributes may be made to: The Fred Childress Mahoning Greater Valley Parkinsonâa�a��s Support Group, in c/o Miriam Whetstone President, 7052 West Blvd. Youngstown,OH 44512 or The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 4327 Youngs., Ohio 44515. Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com

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