Col. Max Giovannini (USAF-Ret.) died on 10 May 2022 at the age of 93 in San Antonio, Texas. His long life was characterized by unwavering devotion to his family and country. He epitomized the “officer and gentleman.”
He was born to Filippo and Irene Giovannini in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania.
After graduating from Geneva College, he was awarded a commission in the U.S. Air Force and began a 29-year military career in the new USAF Security Service.
At his first tour of duty, he met and married Mary Bethel Kincaid. They raised four children in six states and five overseas assignments, including USAFSS Headquarters, Kelly AFB, Wheelus AFB, Tripoli, Libya, European Security Region Headquarters, Frankfurt, Germany, Headquarters-Tactical Air Command, Langley AFB, Wakkanai Air Station, Japan, command of the common defense installation in Karamürsel, Turkey, National Security Agency, Ft. Meade, Maryland, DOD Special Representative to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado.
He furthered his education by earning an MBA at the Univ. of Oklahoma, and his distinguished service was recognized with numerous commendations, including the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit.
Upon retirement, Max returned to San Antonio, where he transferred his leadership skills to civilian life. He served his fellow officers as Executive Director of Air Force Village I, and on Security Service FCU’s Board of Directors for 30 years, including service as Chairman, making many cherished friends. Max and Mary enjoyed a vibrant life until Mary’s death parted them after 58 years of marriage. Two years later, Max found new joy with Dolores “Dodie” Blum, with whom he was joined in marriage in 2013. Their nine years together were marked by great happiness.
Max is survived by his wife Dodie, daughters Juliana McCollom (Patrick) (Luther, Oklahoma), Gloria Giovannini (Jay Mitchell) (Salt Lake City, Utah), and Regina Giovannini (Lamar McCorkle) (Houston Texas), daughter-in-law Sebastiana Giovannini (Sacramento, California), eleven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, cousin Paolo DePiante (Elisabetta) of Rome, Italy, and many other cousins, nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Italy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, infant daughter Marietta, and son Philip Giovannini, PhD.
Mass will be celebrated on June 21, 2022 at 9:00a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church in Castroville, followed by 11:30a.m. committal with military honors at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. Friends are invited to greet the family at 3:00p.m. at Blue Skies of Texas West. Memorials may be made to Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation.
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