Geno Piccoli
Passed: January 30, 2017
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Geno Piccoli
Passed: January 30, 2017
Obituary
Chief Master Sergeant Geno Piccoli, 76, died peacefully in his Litchfield Park, AZ home on January 30, 2017.
Chief Piccoli was born on January 24, 1941 in New Britain, CT to Geno and Mary Piccoli. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1958 and served over 30 years before retiring in 1988. Spending a good portion of his active career as a First Sergeant, he epitomized the phrase “my job is people, everyone is my business.” Not slowing down, he spent 5 years in civil service and 10 more years as a volunteer at Luke Air Force Base. A longtime advocate and supporter of military families, Geno was an active member of the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) for over 40 years, serving as International President from 1988 through 1991. A huge contributor to AFSA services and charitable programs, Geno personally supported a wide range of charitable organizations including the Airmen Memorial Museum and Airmen Memorial Foundation.
Geno was a loving father, husband, brother and grandfather as well as a mentor and inspiration to the countless lives he touched. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Piccoli; daughter, Theresa Dearth (Anthony Dearth); sons, Anthony Piccoli (Paula Piccoli), Joseph Piccoli, Geno Forman (Gail Forman); sister, Theresa DeBisschop (James F. DeBisschop); 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
People often say that one person cannot make a difference in the world. However, anyone who knows Geno knows – one person who truly cares about people can make an incredible impact on us all.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, February 2, 2017 at the Luke AFB Chapel. Burial will follow at 12:30 pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.
10 responses to Geno Piccoli
James Ellis says:
July 19, 2017
To the family and friends of Geno.
I served in New Zealand with Geno when he was a young Staff Sergeant and I was a young Lt. I have always remembered how much Geno hustled whenever he moved throughout the building we were in. You could hear him coming and going up and down the hallway by the loud click click click of his spit shinned shoes. That familiar sound has resonated in my mind every time I encountered somebody who was really hustling (a rare thing these days).
Well, this morning, was sitting in the doctor’s office waiting to see the doctor and I heard a click click click out in the hallway. My mind flashed “Geno Piccoli”. My first thought was I wonder where Geno is now. Having some time on my hands, I googled “Geno Piccoli” on my iPhone and immediately came to his obituary. I was so surprised and shocked! He was one of the sharpest guys I ever knew! I learned so much about work ethics and people skills from this wonderful man. Thanks Geno for inspiring me and so many others! You will be missed by family, friends and casual observers of excellence.
Rest In Peace,
Jim Ellis
Peggy J Wilkins says:
July 21, 2017
My earlier comments about Geno was just not enough to say. Only to let his family know I thought highly of them when they were at Patrick AFB Fla. He was my First Shirt and knew his subordinates well. I could go on. But God be with your family.
Jamie Parker says:
May 3, 2020
I just thought about Gino today. I moved to Texas in 2016 and never knew that Gino had passed. Gino was a good man and his enthusiasm and the sincere way he cared for others will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace Gino…and prayers for you and your family.
Debra Norris, USAF TSgt (ret) says:
August 21, 2022
I would also like to recognize his first wife, SMSgt Sharon Piccoli, who passed in 1997. They were truly a force to be reckoned with when I met them at Kirtland AFB. They were true friends and leaders of all Airmen.
marion schneider says:
January 24, 2023
I knew Gino Piccoli both at AFTAC and Air Force Reach Laboratory. He was a splendid person in every way. He was the General’s Chief Enlisted person at AFTAC and Special Assistant to the Commander of Air Research Laboratory here at Kirtland AFB.
Lt. Col.Marion Schneider (Ret.)