Serafino Arthur Scalise

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on July 14, 2006:

Serafino Arthur Scalise Born June 8, 1928 - Died June 25, 2006 Serafino Arthur "Art" Scalise was born at West Point, New York on 8 June 1928 and was appointed to West Point as a Qualified Alternate. His West Point classmates recall: "Art seemed right at home at West Point, probably because he was born and raised here. It didn't take him long to gain recognition for his hard work and sincerity. Art leaves West Point with the admirable reputation of being able to come through when the chips are down. There is no doubt in our minds that Art will be a success and credit to the Academy in whatever service he enters." During his cadet days Art went out for Track and was an Acolyte all four years; and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year serving as First Sergeant of C-2. Upon graduation Art went in the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia reported to the 5th Infantry Division in 1951; then went with the 224th Infantry Regiment, 40th Division in Korea where he served from 1952 to 1953 and was decorated with the Combat Infantryman Badge. In 1960 Art was appointed Assistant Professor of Military Science at Fordham University where he served until 1964. Next Art received orders to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam where he served until 1965. Art's next assignment was to Headquarters, 82nd Airborne Division where he served from 1965 to 1967 from where he went to Headquarters, United States Army, Europe and served from 1967 to 1970. In 1970 Art returned to Military Assistance Command, Vietnam and on return to stateside in 1971 was assigned to Institute for Military Assistance, Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he served until 1974. In 1974 Art was assigned to Headquarters, VII Corps in Germany and served until 1977 when he returned to the States and retired from the United States Army as Lieutenant Colonel. After retirement Art went into the real estate business and continued to the time of his death. Art made his home in Bend, Oregon but abandoned Bend, OR, each winter for Phoenix. His mother lives there so he had a place to hang his hat between tee times. His realtor's shingle went back on the wall in early April; and his beeper can reach him on any of the local courses. Art is anything but reticent in expressing his praise and gratitude for those whose efforts contributed to an outstanding (45th) reunion. Art passed away on June 25, 2006. We're all sadden by the passing of another classmate; this time pursuing his passion -- he accomplished something the rest of us could only dream of -- five holes-in-one! ************ From the Bend Bullitin Serafino "Art" Scalise, of Bend, died Thursday of a heart attack. He was 78. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Bend. Mr. Scalise was born June 8, 1928, in West Point, N.Y., to Jerome and Rose (Logozzo) Scalise. He earned a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Mr. Scalise served in the U.S. Army for 28 years and retired as a lieutenant colonel. He moved to Bend in 1977. He was a member of the realtors association and Bend Golf and Country Club. He enjoyed golf, bowling and spending time with his family. Survivors include a son, David, of Tucson, Ariz.; five daughters, Catherine Farrell, of Mahomet, Ill., Christine Markwardt, of Florida, Nancy Hausner, of Boise, Idaho, Leslie Lowe, of Spokane, Wash., and Pam, of Redmond; his mother, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; four sisters, Frances Navratil, of Phoenix, Mary Scholl, of Federal Way, Wash., Linda, of Oro Valley, Ariz., and Judie, of Scottsdale; and 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 380 S.E. Spokane #110, Portland, OR 97202. Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home of Bend is in charge of arrangements. From bendbulletin.com - published daily in Bend, Oregon, by Western Communications, Inc. Copyright 2005. ************ And from USCC Company mate Pete Prehn: "Andy. Your comments about once being stationed in Bend, Or., and other details relating to Art Scalise have been most interesting. Being in C-2 Co. with Art made it easy to develop our relationship into a close bond throughout the years since graduation. We were also in the 11th Airborne Div. together at Ft Campbell, Ky. I also spent a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at his quarters in Germany one year. Perhaps the most difficult thing for me to accept about his sudden death is that just a few short weeks ago, my wife and I sat with Art at each evening meal during our 55th Reunion, and had a great time talking about the good old days. I suppose one positive note might be that he was stricken on the golf course...one of his favorite passtimes. I shall miss him! Pete Prehn ************ On July 14, 2006 Pete Foss reports as follows: Dear Classmates; Per reports from those on hand, it was a lovely sunny day at West Point for the first time in more than a week when Serafino Arthur "Art" Scalise was buried with full military honors in the West Point Cemetary on Thursday, 13 July 2006. Earlier, on 29 June 2006, a Funeral Mass was said for Art at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Bend OR. Chaplain Paul Hurley from the Catholic Chapel at West Point read the burial services. Father Hurley is a graduate, Class of 1984. Attending from Art's family were four of his daughters: Nancy Hausner, Chris Magquart (LTC, USAF ret) Catherine Farriell and Pam Scalise, two granddaughters. and Sam Scalise, a cousin of Art's, is retired from his long time civilian assistant position in the USMA Mechanics Department. Sam said that he and Art had played together as youngsters before World War II. In addition to the family, Lee and Janet Duke (including Janet's sister, Ellen) along with Peter and Marie Foss represented the Class of 1951. Col Jerry Meyer represented the Superintendent and presented the flag covering Art's coffin to the family. Nancy D. Calhelha, representing the Association of Graduates, expressed condolences from the Association. Art's resting place is the sixth in the same row with Roland Tausch, Marv Krupinski, Willie Winner, Harlan and Norma Johnson. A lovely basket of flowers from the Class was at graveside. Following the services, each member of the family placed a flower on the casket. All of Art's daughters expressed appreciation for the support from Art's classmates.

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