Son of Hamilton couple killed in Afghanistan


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HAMILTON — The son of a Hamilton family died in Afghanistan this week.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert A. Massarelli, 32, died in Kandahar, Afghanistan on Sunday, June 24, according to his mother.

He was a 1998 graduate of East Kentwood High School, in Kentwood, Mich., and the son of Pat and Mary (Renneker) Massarelli. He has two brothers, Mike and Ben Massarelli.

His mother confirmed his death on Thursday night, but declined further comment.

Services are pending at the Colligan Funeral Home in Hamilton.

The Department of Defense has not released any information on Massarelli’s death.

Masarelli becomes the third man from Butler County to die in Afghanistan this year. Marine Sgt. John P. Huling, 25, of West Chester Twp. died May 6 and Army Cpl. Nicholas Olivas, 20, of Fairfield was killed May 30.

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