RENSSELAER – It was about two years ago when Tony Nardacci was cleaning out his wife’s aunt’s basement and inside an old set of drawers he discovered a small bible stashed inside.

“I would hope it has some sentimental value,” Nardacci said. “I know it would mean a lot to me if someone found an 80 year old relic from World War II of their father, uncle, or grandfather.”

The bible Naradacci found had the owner’s name written in cursive inside the front cover. Clarence Rohrbacher, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 until 1945, was that member of the Greatest Generation.

“We were issued bibles in boot camp when I was in the Navy,” Nardacci recalled. “It’s similar to this but this is an older type.”

As it turns out, Clarence Rohrbacher died in 1989. He is buried in his home state, Michigan.

It’s unclear how the World War II relic wound up in the Capital Region.

“That’s the mystery,” Naradacci declared. “I have no idea, nor does the person who owns the dresser that I found it in.”

Nardacci understands all too well the travails, perils, and sentiment of war relics. His uncle was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. Another uncle was at the Battle of the Bulge. He’s had family serve in Vietnam and Korea. And his niece, Casey Frankoski, was killed in a helicopter crash in Texas earlier this year.

Given his own family’s military history, Nardacci is certain the Rohrbacher family would love to get their bible back.

“He served in the Navy. I would love to know his story,” Nardacci said. “I hope it’s important to somebody in his family.”

According to Rohrbacher’s obituary published in 1989, he left behind eight children, 35 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren.