Obituaries

Dennis R. Mazza I, 72, of Bridgeport, WV went to be with the lord on March 4, 2019.
He was born on October 11, 1946 at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Clarksburg, WV to the late Frank and Elizabeth Mazza.
He is survived by his daughter and sons: Dennis Richard Mazza II and wife Chrissy of Mount Clare, WV, Timothy Michael Mazza and partner Kevin Swearingen of Parkersburg, WV, David Matthew Mazza of Clarksburg, WV, Michael Joseph Mazza and wife Kathleen of Mount Clare, John Michael Mazza and fiancé Chelsea Davis of Clarksburg, WV, and Allessandra-Maria St. Clair and husband Tyler of Buckhannon, WV. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Myra Elizabeth Mazza, Drew Steven Mazza, Noah David Mazza, Isabella Rebekah Mazza, Gianna Lucia Mazza, Alek Elijah Mazza, Timothy Francesco Mazza, Samuel Thomas Mazza, Avery Jane St. Clair, Amelia Winslow Mazza and Aubree Nicole Davis; two brothers, Frank Mazza and wife Marilyn and Raymond L. Mazza and wife Adrian both of Ohio, one niece, three nephews, five great nephews and two great nieces and an aunt Violet Mazza of Bridgeport, WV
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank Salvatore and Mary Marra Mazza of San Giovanni, Italy and Charles and Sabina Wilfong and an infant sister, Mary Elizabeth Mazza.
He was a 1964 graduate of Washington Irving High School and attended Ohio Valley College, Fairmont State University and West Virginia University. He attended the WV State Police Academy where he taught firearms training and was also trained at the Department of Dangerous Drugs and Explosives School.
Dennis retired from the Clarksburg Police Department and was the Police Chief in the town of West Milford, WV. He served in the United States Army and fought overseas in the Vietnam War, being honorably discharged, and received the Commendation Medal of Valor for saving 300 Vietnamese civilians. He also retired from the VA Hospital after 11 years working in various departments.
Over the years, he coached several youth leagues; Minor League Baseball, Little League Baseball, Jerry West Basketball, Girls Soccer and YMCA Youth Basketball. He received awards from the police department naming him “Policeman of the Year” and was nominated for the J. Edgar Hoover Award. He started the organization known as H.E.L.P. (Help Every Little Person).
Dennis had the privilege of serving as the late Senator Robert C. Byrd’s body guard while he was in Clarksburg. He always talked about the Senator playing his fiddle for him in his suite. He loved spending his days at the family cabin with his sons, daughter, grandchildren and friends, fishing from his favorite rock and swimming on those hot summer days.
Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort, WV on Friday, March 8, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 7:00 p.m. to conclude the visitation with Pastor Rodney Heckert presiding. Per his request cremation services will follow and a private inurnment will be held at the West Virginia National Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com. A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.