Julio Zaccagni

Julio passed away on Wednesday April 17, 2024. Julio was born in Kingmont, West Virginia on November 7th, 1921. Julio was the son of the late Italian immigrants Nicola Zaccagni and Maria Martelli Zaccagni. He was the last of the 4 Zaccagni siblings to depart this earth; older sister Renata “Lily” Zaccagni Julian, older brother Jildo Zaccagni, younger sister Amelia Zaccagni Davis.

Julio joined the Navy on his 18th birthday after graduating High School. After Boot Camp he was assigned to the U.S.S. Texas, BB-35. He also served on the Destroyer U.S.S. MacKenzie, with action during WWII until November 1945 when the MacKenzie arrived in Charleston, South Carolina to be de-commissioned.

Julio’s enlistment was up on November 8, 1945. He re-enlisted for two more years and was assigned to the aircraft carrier Philippine Sea (CV-47). Due to the end of WWII, there was not much activity. In January 1947 the Philippine Sea was selected to transport Admiral R.E. Byrd on the Antarctic expedition named “Operation High Jump”. In December 1947 Julio was honorably discharged, ending his Naval career.

Julio returned home to West Virginia for a short period and eventually learned the printing business at a printing school in Aurora Missouri. He met the love of his life, Dorothy Janet Boswell Zaccagni and they married and lived in Parkersburg West Virginia and then moved to Saint Louis Missouri where they had a son Nicholas Zaccagni (deceased). A Printing job opportunity brought the family to Houston Texas where they eventually moved to Sharpstown, a new subdivision at the time, in the early 1950’s. They extended the family with a daughter Janet Zaccagni Santoro, and son Daniel Zaccagni.

Shortly after Julio moved to Houston, he discovered that the U.S.S. Texas BB-35 was docked near the San Jacinto battleground and monument. Julio became involved with the USS Texas Veterans Association as a knowledgeable member and WWII vet. He served in various roles with the organization throughout his time while in Houston. The family enjoyed visiting the Battleship Texas several times from childhood to adulthood. Julio also received the distinguished honor of Knighthood in the French Legion of Honor.

Julio was also very involved in the printing business and eventually became the president of the Houston Litho Club in the 1970’s.

Julio is survived by daughter Jan Santoro, son in law Tony Santoro II; son Dan Zaccagni, daughter in law Estella Zaccagni; granddaughters Renata Santoro Smith, Alicia Zaccagni Halbert; grandsons Neil Zaccagni (deceased), Taylor Smith, Hunter Halbert, Anthony Santoro III; great grandson Preston Smith; great granddaughter Lilly Smith.