The Lead.
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 healthcare professionals.
From coal mines to college dreams
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 Hiram graduated from high school, Victor expected his son to join the family business. 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.”
A family decision that changed everything
“Dad believed in the value of education. His father wanted what was best for him, which he thought was continuing the trucking company as a 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 Hiram to stay with her father in Pittsburgh while attending Duquesne University. As the family could not afford to pay for 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.”
Building a life and legacy
When World War II started, Hiram enlisted as a reserve U.S. Army officer and went to medical school in St. Louis.
Hiram also married the girl next door, Angela, with whom he’d graduated from high school. The couple instilled the value of education and community service into their five children.
“I learned my work ethic from my father and compassion from my mother,” Dr. Jim Bazzoli shared.
A humble doctor with a big heart
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 recalled 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.
Passing on the gift of education
Hiram and Angela put their children into private schools and ensured they graduated from college.
“While I never considered us well-to-do, we graduated from college without any debt,” Dr. Jim Bazzoli shared. “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 boys became doctors, and one daughter became a nurse.
“Because of Dad’s decision, we now have ten medical professionals in the family across three generations,” said Dr. Jim Bazzoli.
Hiram retired at age 83 after a 60-year career in medicine.
Giving back to Marion
Dr. Jim Bazzoli became an obstetrician/gynecologist and served the Marion Community from 1976 until his retirement. He and Ellen also serve the community as leaders, following their parents’ examples.
“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.”
A lasting impact through scholarship
Helping more students enter the healthcare field helps the entire community, as many healthcare fields 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
Supporting the next generation
Marion Technical College serves a large number of students who are the first generation of their families to attend college, as well as many who are economically challenged. The new Dr. Hiram and Angela Bazzoli Scholarship will be awarded to a health care student with demonstrated financial need in 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 funded by Dr. Jim and Ellen Bazzoli through the Marion Technical College Foundation.
Find the full list of Foundation scholarships.
Donate online to this endowed fund.
