Marion, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW) — One man’s determination to get an education changed his entire family’s future. Now, Dr. James and Ellen Bazzoli are honoring his parents, Dr. Hiram and Angela Bazzoli, with a new scholarship at Marion Technical College to support future health care professionals.
Hiram was born in Pennsylvania to immigrants from Italy and Austria, Victor and Adeline Bazzoli. Without an education, Victor worked in coal mines before starting a small trucking company in Dover, Ohio.
Hiram attended a one-room schoolhouse. After graduating from high school, Victor expected his son to join the family business. But Hiram resolved to attend college, to his father’s deep disappointment.
“I was determined to get my education,” Dr. Hiram Bazzoli recalled in an interview in his 90s. “I always wanted to learn more.”
“Dad believed in the value of education. His father wanted what was best for him, which he thought was continuing the trucking company as part of Grandpa’s legacy. This caused a lot of tension in the family. Grandma kept working on Grandpa until he finally relented,” Dr. Jim Bazzoli recalled. “That changed the trajectory of our family. Isn’t that the American dream?”
Hiram’s mother, Adeline, arranged for him to stay with her father in Pittsburgh while attending Duquesne University. As the family could not afford college, Hiram’s grandfather gave him $50—a princely sum during the Great Depression.
“Grandma made it work,” Dr. Jim Bazzoli said. “Eventually, Grandpa was as proud as a peacock to have a doctor in the family.”
When World War II began, Hiram enlisted as a reserve U.S. Army officer and went to medical school in St. Louis.
He also married the girl next door, Angela, with whom he’d graduated high school. The couple instilled the value of education and community service in their five children.
“I learned my work ethic from my father and compassion from my mother,” Dr. Jim Bazzoli shared.
Dr. Hiram Bazzoli recalled making about $25 a month as a surgeon when he started out. For extra income, he made $3 house calls at night and on weekends, often with a child in tow. Dr. Jim Bazzoli remembered some families paying in chickens.
“Dad was all about medicine. He treated patients, not insurance cards. He didn’t turn people away. I think you have a lot more empathy when you’ve had to struggle,” Jim recalled. “He said while he couldn’t cure everybody, he could be kind to everybody.”
Dr. Hiram Bazzoli’s office manager, Edie Polverini, told The Canton Repository in 2003 that Hiram possessed a rare quality.
“He treated everyone like they were family,” Polverini said.
Hiram and Angela enrolled their children in private schools and ensured they graduated from college.
“While I never considered us well-to-do, we graduated college without any debt,” Dr. Jim Bazzoli said. “Though if we left the light switch on, we heard about it from Dad!”
While Hiram’s children said they weren’t pushed into medicine, all three sons became doctors and one daughter became a nurse.
“Because of Dad’s decision, we now have 10 medical professionals in the family across three generations,” said Dr. Jim Bazzoli.
Hiram retired at age 83 after a 60-year career in medicine. Jim became an obstetrician/gynecologist and served the Marion community from 1976 until his retirement. He and Ellen continue to serve the community as leaders, following their parents’ example.
“Dad and Mom stressed the value of education,” Dr. Jim Bazzoli said. “We can think of no better way to honor their memories than to help give a hand up to another health care professional. This could change their family’s trajectory, too.”
Helping more students enter the health care field benefits the entire community, as many health care roles are in demand.
“College isn’t for everybody, but a community college can be a pathway to a successful career,” Dr. Jim Bazzoli said.
“As this scholarship demonstrates the impact of how a family tree can be changed by one event or one person, the same is true about MTC. MTC hopes to change the family tree by providing educational opportunities to make this happen,” said Tami Galloway, president of the Marion Tech Foundation board of directors.
Marion Technical College serves a large number of students who are the first in their families to attend college, as well as many who face economic challenges. The new Dr. Hiram and Angela Bazzoli Scholarship will be awarded to a health care student with demonstrated financial need and good academic standing.
“This new scholarship gives students in need a hand up,” said Mike Stuckey, director of the Marion Tech Foundation. “We so value this generosity, following the example set by Dr. Hiram and Angela Bazzoli. Many of our students struggle—not with the classes, but with economic challenges outside the classroom. With our student body growing, the need also grows. Every scholarship makes a difference.”
This is the second scholarship fund created by the Bazzolis at Marion Tech. For the full list of scholarships, or to make a donation to this endowed fund, visit www.mtc.edu.