The fourth annual “For Vets Sake” Ashtabula County veterans bocce tournament was held at the Sons of Italy in Ashtabula on Saturday, August 22nd.
The bocce tournament featured 46 veterans comprising 11 teams.
Melaragno HVAC defeated Honor Guard 2 (12-7) in the finals. VFW #943 finished third and DeCamillo Law Firm won the Comeback tournament.
Melaragno HVAC consisted of: Don Lagoni, Brandon DeForest, Kevin Melaragno, Doug Billings and Mark Canzonetta.
Honor Guard 2 consisted of: Bruce Campbell, Joe Mattern, Brian Baird, Ken Bodine
The third-place VFW #943 team consisted of: Joe Chike, Nelson Benedict, Jen Lee and Joe May.
DeCamillo Law Firm finished fourth overall and included: Rich Coudere, Dennis DeCamillo, Armand DeCamillo, and Joseph Pete.
Veterans were provided coffee and donuts, lunch, a FVS shirt, and five veterans received an engraved paver to be placed on the Veteran Service Commission’s “Warrior Walk.”
“The For Vets Sake organization would like to say thank you to Kelly Dennison, Becky Vocca, Sandra Clough, Susan Hamm, and Deanna Mercilliott. Your organizing and work during the event helped make the day enjoyable for all,” Bruce Campbell said.
Team sponsors
Team sponsors were Air Force Won, American Legion #103 Honor Guard 1 & 2, DeCamillo Law, Guerriero Funeral Home, In-Country Vietnam Veterans, Kilker Brothers Grocery, Melaragno HVAC, VFW Post #943 and Auxiliary, and Young Men’s Social Club.
Financial supporters
Financial supporters enabling “For Vets Sake” to support Ashtabula County veterans in 2026 included: American Legion #103, Ashtabula Eagles #1463, Ballo Construction, DeCamillo Law Firm, DeSalvatore Insurance, EAC Educ. Assist. Corp., Elks Club #208, Elliott Godleski, GMR Technology, Guerriero Funeral Home, In-Country Vietnam Veterans, Jefferson Eagles #3881, The Legend Group – Deb Friend, Melaragno HVAC, MFG Composites, Penna Foundation, R.L. Lipton Distributing Ashtabula, Skufca on State, Sons of Italy #1169, VFW Post #943, and the Young Men’s Social Club.
