Let's write about the life of a Second World War hero Richard Fisco

 Honoring the memory of a decorated World War II hero Richard D. Fisco. An echo essay and book review published by the Bangor Daily News by Maine Writer.

Under the heading of interesting people we meet in our lives:

Richard D. Frisco was a decorated World War II hero, a recipient of the Purple Heart and a parishioner of Saint John the Baptist church in All Saints Parish, in Brunswick, Maine, when he died on December 13, 2013, at 93 years old.

Before he died, he authored a fascinating autobiography titled “Your Lives Will be Beautiful”, about his extraordinary life and war experiences in France.

Fortunately, I obtained a copy and wrote a review.

Mr. Fisco was a quiet hero who devoutly practiced his Roman Catholic faith at the Saint John the Baptist Church, in Brunswick, where he connected with his lifelong love of the French. In fact, “Saint John’s” on Pleasant Street was built by Franco-Americans. The beautiful sanctuary is lined with religious statues and stained glass windows inscribed in French.

When Mr. Fisco attended Mass or was inside the Eucharistic Chapel, his car would be parked adjacent to the entry door with his adorable French poodle patiently sitting on the front seat, waiting for his return.

Richard D. Fisco

Recently, Mr. Fisco’s obituary was sent to me and I’ve published it in this blog. A review I wrote about his book is reprinted below the obituary.

Bath, Maine – Richard D. Fisco died peacefully on Friday, December 13, 2013, at Hill House Assisted Living. He was born on April 7, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Joseph and Mary (Pagonini) Fisco.

In high school, Richard was a long distance runner and earned several awards. He won the Staten Island 6 mile championship and reported that he won because his mother fed him pasta.

Richard was also a young student entomologist and collected over 300 beetles. He joined the army in 1939, and eventually served as the lead scout with the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion and the 5th Army. Richard was chosen to be the best 5th Army scout. He fought in North Africa, Italy France and Belgium. He took part in the Anzio Campaign at the Volturno, and earned the Bronze Star.

Richard earned the Purple Heart and Silver Star in the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in the left elbow in the Ardennes on December 29, 1944 and was evacuated to England. Richard met and married his beloved wife, Louise Cechetti on December 8, 1944, the day of the Immaculate Conception, in the Church of Notre Dame in Nice, France. Richard stayed in touch with his Army comrades for many years.

Richard joined the New York City Fire Department in 1949. He served as a Lieutenant firefighter for 20 years and retired in 1969. He traveled to France often with is wife and son, Richard. He was made an honorary citizen Saint Tropez, France. Richard is the author of his autobiography “Our Lives Will Be Beautiful”, published in 2011.

He is survived by his son, Richard and his wife Barbara and grandchildren, Vera & Ralph; his caregiver, Jolene Arsenault, as well as many friends and relatives.

Richard will be buried with his wife in their family caveau in France. As Richard knew and said: “Life is not devoid of struggle, but if you allow it to, it can be beautiful.” With many thanks to Mary Lou and all the nursing staff at Hill House for all the great and loving work they did.




Your Lives Will Be Beautiful of interest to Franco-Americans and WWII history

Parishioners, who attended the St. John the Baptist Church in Brunswick ME, were familiar with a physically disabled gentleman who regularly went to Mass. His name was Richard D. Fisco. He parked his Explorer van outside of the side entrance to the church where his meticulously groomed and faithful French poodle waited for him to return. He was a highly decorated World War II veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart.

Fisco’s life was one of religious devotion and love shared for France. He saw intense World War II incidents, but these are countered by the joy he experienced from the love in his marriage and family. His memoirs are an uplifting series of stories, some are sad, while many of them are extraordinary.

World War II decorated paratrooper Fisco was determined to publish his autobiography before he died on December 13, 2013, at the age of 93, in Brunswick. For several years, at the end of his life, he suffered with the rare neuromuscular disease of myasthenia gravis.

Fisco’s life, published in 2011, in the book, “Your Lives Will Be Beautiful”, is a tribute to all veterans. He describes his long life as being fraught with challenges and some miracles, especially, when he described his landing during a parachute drop over France. Each chapter of Fisco’s captivating stories includes photographs and newspaper articles documenting the significant events described about his life.

Of particular interest to Franco-Americans is the love Fisco devotedly shred for his beautiful wife Louise, who he met and married on December 8, 1944, while serving with the 509 Parachute Infantry Battalion, in Nice, France, during World War II.

Fisco joined the army and participated in the ferocious fighting in Africa, Anzio Italy, France, and at the Battle of the Bulge. Details of particular battle scenes are vividly described with remarkable attention to the names of comrades who accompanied him during his fighting encounters. Many of the comrades Fisco credits in his memoirs were killed during the fighting.

Yet, Fisco’s life turned beautiful when he met Louise in Nice. Fisco saw her passing by a barber shop window while he was paying for a haircut. He ran to catch up with her and asked, “Ou allez-vous, mademoiselle?”. Followed by “Coment vous appelez-vous?”

She responded that her name was Louise Cecchetti.

Obviously, Fisco’s heavily accented French impressed Louise. She was an aspiring seamstress who worked as an apprentice for a woman’s European fashion designer.

As a gift on their first date, he gave her the material his colleagues used to make their parachutes. Louise designed and made a dress from the fabric printed with camouflage. Later, she wore a stunning knee length dress when they were eventually married on December 8, 1944 at L’eglise de Notre Dame, in Nice.

Fisco’s devotion for Louise is expressed in many ways throughout his interesting autobiography. He even described taking unauthorized leave from his unit to be with her in Europe, knowing he would soon be engaged in the fighting. Although he was punished for his act by his superior officer, he quickly rejoined the ferocious fighting.

Fisco’s married years with Louise included periods of time when they lived in France. They ultimately moved to Harpswell, Maine. Their lives took a sad turn on November 14, 1987 , when Louise discovered a cancerous breast lump. She was aggressively treated and in1990, experienced a remission. Sadly, the cancer reoccurred and in November 1992, she died in Portland.

At her request, Louise is buried in a caveau (cemetery plot) in Nice, France, where Fisco is also interred with her.

Fisco regularly attended Mass at St. John’s and even assisted during daily celebrations in the St. John Center, ringing bells during the elevation of the Eucharist. His devotion to the Blessed Mother was evident in every stage of his life. The pew in St. John’s, where he always sat, is now empty; but for those who knew him, the seat remains as a memory of the years when he worshipped there. Amazingly, he was able to walk to receive communion in spite of his visibly worsening disability.

Information about “Your Lives Will Be Beautiful: The Autobiography of Richard D. Fisco” is available on line at this site here.