Hazel Arlene Savage

Hazel Arlene Savage was my great grandmother. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on Christmas Eve, 1917. She married my great grandfather William Russel Clyde on the 24th of June, 1938 in Tooele, Utah. As I understand it, she came from a poorer family than William did and William's father was not too pleased about this union, although I have yet to confirm details about this. Hazel died on the 27th of November, 2005 leaving behind a legacy of many grandchildren and great grandchildren. (I will report actual numbers soon... it really is a lot...)

In her last few years, Hazel was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. This is when I remember her the most because I had started college at BYU shortly after William passed away and I would occasionally come to visit. When I would come, Hazel would always believe that I was my father and she would ask where my mother was. It seemed like Grandma Hazel was assuming that life was actually 20 years prior to the current time because she would ask me how marriage was treating me and tell me how wonderful my "wife" was.

When I was younger, I remember going with my family to visit Grandma and Grandpa Clyde during the summers (my Dad doesn't like driving in the snow...) Although I don't remember much detail of these trips, I fondly remember being excited to see Grandma Clyde. I remember that the yard and flower gardens were meticulously kept up. I also remember watching and wondering as Grandma Clyde would poor milk in a pot and heat it up before drinking it. I figured that must have been something people used to do a long time ago, because I thought warm milk would taste gross.

This is what I know of Hazel Arlene Savage right now. I will be doing some more research within the next couple of weeks and posting more information and pictures soon concerning Hazel and William.

Philip Campisi: Bodybuilding evidence Found!

In the most recent post about Phil, I wished that I had some evidence of Phil's bodybuilding experience. Well, I found it today!!! Previously, I had always searched for Phil King. I always thought Phil did his bodybuilding post-Army. I found two photos of Phil. One was dated 1941 and the other was a Strength and Fitness Magazine cover from 1943. I am still debating on whether or not to add these pictures to the blog. If you want them, I will surely email them to you (keyes.samantha@gmail.com).

Philip Campisi

Phil Campisi is my grandfather. He was born December 10, 1920. Phil always told everyone that he was born in Italy. I'm not sure if he really thought this or not, but there happens to be a Philip Campisi born in Kings, New York on his exact birth date. His family immigrated there and lived there for some time. I'm in the process of getting the paperwork sent off to see if I can receive a copy of this birth certificate. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I hope they send it to me and it matches up to him because I could really use a viable source for his mother's maiden name. Another complication in finding information about Phil's parents, is Phil entered the Army with the last name Campisi and left the army with the last name King. I have not been able to find any legal record of the name change other than through his Army paperwork.

Phil joined in the US Army where he served our country from 29 Aug 1942 to 19 Nov 1945 . He was a sergeant and a paratrooper instructor. He also was a paratrooper in World War II. He was in the 326th Airborne Division. During his time in the Army, he received many awards, including a Purple Heart. My grandma (living) tells me he received this Purple Heart because he was injured in the Normandy Invasion on D-day (6 Jun 1944). Something happened with the chute and he ended up with a severely hurt arm.

After leaving the Army he married a woman named Edna. I know nothing about them then except they had a daughter named Susan and they divorced in 1948. Shortly after this time, he and my grandmother married, had two kids, and divorced.

I've heard also that Phil was a bodybuilder and won the Mr. Miami Beach Competition and was on the cover of a fitness magazine. I wish I could find evidence of this.

Phil moved in with my parents in his older age, but with a young one at home, and Phil losing his mind, they had no choice but to send him to a Nursing Home. Phil died there, ultimately of Acute Cerebrovascular Insufficiency. Phil's death certificate also says that he had Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease.

I never met Phil but I hear he was quite a character. I look forward to learning more about him.