RVBusiness, January/February 2021

Terry Decio My Father was a Mans Man Five days after Art Decio was laid to rest at Cedar Grove Cemetery on the University of Notre Dame campus Decios eldest son Terry sat down with RVBusiness to talk about his father Appropriately the location was Michaels Italian Restaurant on the near west side of Elkhart not more than two blocks from where Art grew up Coverage of Decios passing was widespread with obituaries appearing everywhere from Chicago to Indianapolis to Cleveland and Detroit as well as in The Wall Street Journal and a host of other publications Terry now in his 60s lives in the Michiana area and is a business development director for Skyline Champion a company that is the result of a 2018 merger between Skyline and Champion Home Builders He works to supply Skyline Champion products to communities developed by corporations like Sun Communities and Equity Lifestyle Properties ELS RVB So why is the passing of Art Decio such a J A N U A R Y F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1 RVBusiness 43 big story Terry Decio Because hes a born and raised Elkhart boy He loved his community loved the people and had a real and positive history with the town He loved the place He cared about the people and had a real passion for them RVB Your father helped many organizations in the area Elkhart General Hospital WNIT Notre Dame United Way just to name a few but none more so than The Salvation Army here in Elkhart He was also a life member and past chairman of the National Advisory Board of The Salvation Army Can you tell us more about that Terry Decio The Salvation Army helped my dad help people which meant a lot to him It was the dearest thing to his heart Thirty years ago he took me to the International Headquarters in England The Salvation Army means as much to me today as it did to my dad He taught me that RVB Art also was a supporter of Bobby Kennedy and his 1968 run for the presidency What do you remember about that Terry Decio I was 16 at the time and my father was Kennedys Midwest campaign manager He brought Bobby Kennedy and Kennedys mother to Elkhart and then on to South Bend Later the night of June 5 it was the California primary and I remember coming downstairs to watch it on the TV with my father Then the news came across the screen that Bobby was rushed to the hospital shot by Sirhan Sirhan The next day he died We left two days later to go to Saint Patricks Cathedral in New York for the service Then on to Arlington National Cemetery where I watched them bury Bob Kennedy and saw John Kennedys eternal flame RVB What would you like everyone to remember most about your dad Terry Decio That he was a mans man he was just a good person and that he loved my mother Patricia She was the love of his life and hed look you right in the eye and tell you that Pull the car up he would say Theres my movie star RVB Terry Decio education and community development will be felt not only in Elkhart but throughout the Michiana region Art Decio was a giant in Elkhart stated Mayor Rod Roberson But it never felt that way when you talked to him you were just talking to Art His legacy is building community service and love for his home that will make Elkhart a better place for many years to come I am humbled by his contributions and will carry his spirit with me as I continue to serve this great city I mourn with Elkhart and his family and friends are in my prayers Decio is survived by his five children Terrence Marlene Decio of St Joseph Mich Jamee Decio of Los Angeles Lindy Robert Reilly of Winnetka Ill Jay Peter IV Christman of Simsbury Conn and Leigh Paul Laird of Reno Nev his 14 grandchildren Benjamin Nicole Decio Murray Decio Ryan Hart Decio Brittan Michael Callahan Jaxon Arthur Anne Reilly Keenan Reilly Flint Samantha Reilly Peter V Kristin Christman Carson Christman Gabrielle Christman Eliza Christman Alexandra Lucas Fedele Collier Arthur Laird and Revere Laird 13 great grandchildren and his sister Barbara Decio Vite of Paradise Valley Ariz RVB