Ninth Generation

170. Ferdinand Henry (Ferd) DEJACO¹⁸⁷ was born on 13 Sep 1922 in Newport, Kentucky at 637 Monroe Street. He was baptized on 24 Sep 1922 in St. Stephen Catholic Church in Newport, Kentucky. He was baptized by Fr. H. J. Hagedorn; his godparents were Harry and Caroline Lower. He was confirmed on 27 May 1934 in St. Stephen Catholic Church in Newport, Kentucky.

In 1940, he graduated from Newport Catholic High School in Newport, Kentucky. Ferd DeJaco later established a scholarship to be given annually to an incoming freshman male student who demonstrated at least a "B" average in grade school and who showed financial need.

He served in the military between 1943 and 1947 in England and Europe as a corporal during World War II. After graduation from high school, he was able to enter a reserve unit of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He received training at the Lexington Signal School and the Paris, Kentucky, Power School before going overseas.

While in Europe during World War-II, Cpl. Ferd DeJaco wrote to his uncle, Rev. Francis DeJaco, asking for assistance in locating his Tyrolean relatives. On April 16, 1946, he was given the following instructions via V-Mail: "Hello Ferd - When the war is over, take a train down the Brenner pass and get off in Innsbruck, take a bus to Pedraces, that is a small village, there you ask for John Peskoller, he is your father's 1st cousin. He has a small hotel. Here is his correct address: Albergo Posta Pedraces Val Badia Italy. Remember these people in Tyrol don't like Italy nor Germany. If you get to see John Peskoller, ask him where you can find Joseph DeJaco. Then down the Brenner pass before you come to Bolzano there is a small town Funes. There you will find two first cousins, the one is Mrs. Joseph (Barbara) Munter, and the other is Marie Fishnaller. Funes is a small town so I don't think you will have any trouble finding these people. Then in Bolzano there is another first cousin, Fanny Sanig; her address is Laubengasse 34 Partige Bolzano Italy. Then the manager of the great Griffanee hotel is a second cousin. Here is his name and address: Emil Gerstgrasser, via Druse No 23 Bolzano Italy. I hope that this is the information you are looking for. If there is anything else you wish to know I'll be glad to send it. Perhaps when the war is over I'll be able to draw a map for you, that would help very much. Well keep well, and see all you can. Your Uncle - Rev. Francis J DeJaco"

In 1949 he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.) from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was also registered as a Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio. He retired in the mid-1980s.

He finally was able to visit Tyrol in 1996. He met several Dejaco family members living in the area, and he obtained information about his ancestors from the churches in Campill and in Pfunds.

He died on 19 Jan 2006 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. From his obituary: DEJACO, Ferd, survived by his bride of 54 years Maria (Duerr) DeJaco. Dear father of Maria (Bill) Gilbert, Kathy (Chuck Zix) DeJaco, Ray (Frani) and Andy (Judee) DeJaco. Also survived by 10 Grandchildren. Dear brother of Mildred Wise and Lucille Hoenemeyer. Thursday, January 19, 2006 Age 83 years. Visitation Monday from 9:30 A.M. until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Memorials may be made in the form of Masses.

Ferdinand Henry (Ferd) DEJACO and Maria Paulina DUERR DeJaco were married on 27 Oct 1951 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Father Cassian Sand performed the marriage ceremony and Rev. Francis J. DeJaco and Rev. Louis A. DeJaco concelebrated their Nuptial Mass.

Maria Paulina DUERR DeJaco (daughter of Viktor DUERR and Marie RESTLE Duerr) was born on 27 Oct 1930 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio at Bethesda Hospital.

Ferdinand Henry (Ferd) DEJACO and Maria Paulina DUERR DeJaco had the following children:

+246	i.	Maria Paulina DEJACO Gilbert.
+247	ii.	Kathleen Marie DEJACO.
+248	iii.	Raymond Victor DEJACO.
+249	iv.	Andrew Paul DEJACO.