Smith: Thoughtful, quiet professor a true hero

A quiet man and reflective man, John Creaghe was seen by fellow Oakmont retirees as a former college professor who’d served in some capacity in World War II.

In fact, what Creaghe (cray) did in face-to-face combat in the Apennines of northern Italy 70 years ago earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest military honor.

And on Wednesday, he received a rare, posthumous honor from the army’s 10th Mountain Division.

Some of Creaghe’s family were present at Fort Drum in New York for the dedication of the base’s Creaghe Training Support Center.

As a first lieutenant in March of 1945, Creaghe lead attacks on enemy positions near strategically important mountain roads in Italy’s Bologna province.

A plaque that will adorn the Fort Drum training center notes that Greaghe and seven soldiers had advanced over a crest when German troops counter-attacked. Creaghe killed two before a rifle grenade seriously wounded him.

The plaque reads, “Only after four counterattacks were repulsed did he consent to be evacuated.”

It took months for Creaghe to heal from injuries that included the loss of his left eye. After the war he earned a Ph.D. in political science, then taught at colleges in New England.

He and his wife, Norma, retired to Oakmont in 1988. He was 90 when he died in 2011.

Nephew Steve Creaghe, who led the family delegation to Fort Drum and will report back to Norma in Oakmont, said that if you’d met his late uncle “you would not be surprised to learn that he was a college professor.

“But you might be surprised to learn what a warrior he was.”

KEN ROSSI humbly awaits the honor he’ll receive at a celebration Saturday night at Santa Rosa Golf & Country Club.

Now 50 and unable to walk or to see, as a blind student at Piner High he could run. And fast.

The unstoppable Rossi thanks his former teammates and coach, Jim Underhill, without whose help and encouragement he’s quite sure he would not be feted with induction into Piner’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

BEFORE EASTER slips further away, let’s address why seasoned firefighter Jack Piccinini hopped about San Francisco’s Washington Square in a bunny suit.

Jack’s a battalion chief with Santa Rosa Fire and a nephew of the late Ray Piccinini, a born showman who for decades waited tables with verve at North Beach restaurants.

Ray became renowned for donning a bunny suit and - for more than 40 Easters - delivering joy, toys and candy to ailing children at hospitals throughout the city.

Ray once recalled the little patient who spotted the bunny and leapt up, despite being encased in a cast, and exclaimed, “I knew you’d find me!”

When Ray died in 2009, a great-nephew, Craig Gianinno of San Bruno, stepped into the suit and into the role. Gianinno made the rounds at hospitals in the city on Sunday.

On Saturday, Jack Piccinini expanded Uncle Ray’s mission. He bunny-suited up and led the first Ray Piccinini Easter Parade at Washington Square.

“It was a proud moment,” said Jack. From within the suit, “You don’t say anything.

“You don’t speak. You just see the eyes of these children.”

Chris Smith is at 521-5211 and chris.smith@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @CJSPD