102-year-old US Navy veteran Robert Persichitti passed away on his way to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The news was confirmed by Honor Flight Rochester, a veterans’ organization, last week. President and CEO Richard Stewart described Persichitti as a “wonderful, pleasant, humble guy” who was easy to know and talk to. Stewart expressed how much they missed him and mourned his passing.
While on his way to Normandy, Persichitti served in the Pacific as a radioman aboard the USS Eldorado. During his tour of duty, he witnessed significant battles such as Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Guam. Despite having heart problems in the past, Persichitti was in excellent health for his age of 102 according to Stewart. He was born in a coal mining town outside Pittsburgh and grew up in humble circumstances before working as a carpentry teacher in Rochester, New York.
Persichitti enjoyed traveling and sharing his experiences with younger generations. He often visited schools to talk about World War II. His friend Pastor William Leone shared that it was an honor to know him and expressed sorrow at his passing. DeCarlo, another friend traveling with Persichitti, remembered their final peaceful moments together before Persichitti passed away with Frank Sinatra playing in the background.
