NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - Two North Salem veterans have been recognized not only for their military service, but for their contributions to their community.
Francis Tuoti and Paul Rinaldi were among the heroes honored on Dec. 2 at Congressman Mike Lawler’s annual NY-17 Veterans of the Year ceremony in Valhalla. There were 44 awardees altogether.
Tuoti
A World War II veteran, Tuoti is a substitute teacher at North Salem Middle/High School, where he is affectionately known as “Mr. T.”
The 97-year-old is a former president of the North Salem Historical Society, a current member of the NSHS, and a former chairman of the town’s Historical Preservation Commission.
Tuoti only gave up riding motorcycles a few years ago and was president of the Westchester Model A Ford Club. (He has two vintage cars.)
His father also rode motorcycles and piloted barnstormers, aka biplanes. Tuoti belongs to the League of World War I Aviation Historians.
Calling Tuoti’s impact on North Salem “immeasurable,” Lawler said his “lifelong dedication to education, history, and community services inspires us all, and our office was honored to recognize him.”
Tuoti was in the U.S. Navy. He served in the North Atlantic aboard three different ships: the USS Mount Vernon, a former luxury ocean liner converted during WWII to a troop transport; the USS MacLeish, a Clemson-class destroyer; and the USS Putnam, an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer.
Born and raised in New Rochelle, he finished high school, enlisted at 17, and became a Machinist’s Mate. His family had spent summers in North Salem and he eventually took over their house.
After returning home, Tuoti went to college, got married, and took engineering jobs with Texaco Research Lab and later General Electric, where he designed jet engines.
He managed a gear motor manufacturing business in New Jersey. He also was an internal engineering consultant at GE. He retired at 60 and then became an independent engineering consultant.
He has two children.
Tuoti said he believes that he’s the “oldest or the second oldest serviceman” in North Salem.
“I thought it was very nice to be recognized,” he said last week.
Rinaldi
Rinaldi, now 85, is a Vietnam-era veteran. After returning to civilian life, he worked at IBM for 43 years.
He “tirelessly supports veteran initiatives,” including partnering with United for the Troops on the gathering of snacks and food, toiletries, and sundries such as batteries, underwear, socks, playing cards, etc. for troops overseas, Lawler said.
Rinaldi’s “steadfast service and unwavering support for others” was inspiring, he added.
A commissioned officer, he served in the Air Force from 1962 to 1967.
Rinaldi was an Air Electronics Officer and was stationed near Austin, Texas, at the now-closed Bergstrom Air Force Base, and at the Beale Air Force Base near Marysville, Calif.
During the Cold War between the United States and Russia, Rinaldi worked for Strategic Air Command, the part of the U.S. Department of Defense that’s responsible for command and control of the strategic bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile components of the military’s strategic nuclear forces.
After returning home, he attended grad school and then went to work for IBM as a computer programmer and an information technology service manager. He retired in 2013 when he was 73.
Also born and raised in New Rochelle, Rinaldi moved to North Salem 49 years ago. He and his wife, Joan, have one son, Andrew.
He is treasurer of the North Salem Republican Town Committee.
“I’m very honored to be thought of because it was many, many years ago that I was in the service. I’m very appreciative of the recognition,” Rinaldi said.
Nzingha Milanes, chair of the NSRTC, as a citizen nominated both Tuoti and Rinaldi for the award.
“I was proud to nominate these two outstanding veterans who have served their community for years,” she said.
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