[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21411-21412]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM ANTHONY CARNAZZO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 5, 2003

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. William Anthony 
Carnazzo who

[[Page 21412]]

passed away on June 19, 2003 after having led a long life of dedicated 
service to his community. During his lifetime, Dr. Carnazzo not only 
served his country in the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division for three 
years during World War II, where he earned a Bronze Star for his 
bravery, but also provided the County of Monterey with the invaluable 
commitment and service of a talented physician. Most importantly, 
however, he was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his 
wife, Betty; two sons, Gerald Carnazzo of Coral de Tierra and William 
Carnazzo, Jr. of New Castle; two daughters, Gigi Knudtson and Carol 
Brown, both of Granite Bay; and two stepsons, Chip Worthington of 
Rohnert Park and Greg Worthington of Zion, Utah. Sadly, Dr. Bill's 
first wife, Carmel Carnazzo, passed away in 1974 after decades of love 
and friendship together. However, on a cruise ship the following year, 
Dr. Bill met and later married Betty, with whom he spent the rest of 
his life, becoming one of the few lucky people to find their true love 
twice in one lifetime!
  ``Doctor Bill,'' as his many friends knew him, lived in Monterey for 
64 years. He was born in Carlentini, Sicily on May 23, 1915. Soon after 
his birth, his mother, Josephine Carnazzo, brought him to Omaha, 
Nebraska to join his father, Salvatore Carnazzo. Bill attended 
elementary and high school in Omaha and excelled in both academics and 
sports, particularly wrestling and football. In 1931, Dr. Bill entered 
Creighton University's premedical program and subsequently graduated 
with honors. He then entered the Creighton University School of 
Medicine, where he received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1938.
  On June 12, 1939, he and Carmel Ann Circo were married in Omaha. 
While on their honeymoon in Monterey, they were convinced by friends in 
the area that it would be a great place to start a practice and family. 
After seeing the beautiful landscape of Monterey, they agreed and later 
that same year they relocated to Monterey. In 1972, Dr. Bill's son, Dr. 
Jerry Carnazzo, joined the family practice. After 55 years of medicine, 
Dr. Bill retired in 1990. Oddly enough, his practice began and ended 
with the same patient and friend Ted Melicia, but such long-term care 
and attention was his calling card.
  Dr. Bill's life was one of great service and commitment. He spent 
seven years on the board of what was then Monterey Unified School 
District. In 1946, he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the middle of 
a heated controversy regarding building a community college in 
Monterey. Two years later, Dr. Bill cast the deciding vote that 
resulted in the creation of Monterey Peninsula College, which has 
become a landmark educational institution for the residents of Monterey 
and the surrounding area. His work will continue on as he left a 
permanent mark in many facets of life for the Monterey Peninsula, 
especially education.
  Dr. Bill's gentle, kind, humble and generous spirit touched both 
young and old in his private life and professional medical life. He was 
known and well respected for his selflessness and his ability to 
instill others with optimism and confidence. Dr. Bill's service is 
admirable and his character and dedication have made lasting impacts on 
our community and the people with whom he worked. It is an honor for me 
to pay tribute to the rich life and work of Dr. William Carnazzo.

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