Robert Persichitti, a 102-year-old World War II US Navy veteran, passed away on his way to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The news was confirmed by Honor Flight Rochester, a veteran’s organization, last week. President and CEO Richard Stewart paid tribute to Persichitti as a “wonderful, pleasant, humble guy” who was easy to know and talk to. He expressed how much they missed him and mourned his passing.
While traveling to Normandy, Persichitti had served in the Pacific as a radioman aboard the USS Eldorado during significant battles such as Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Guam. In addition to his military service, he was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame in 2020. During a stop in Germany, Persichitti became ill and was airlifted to the hospital where he passed away peacefully. His friend DeCarlo shared the final moments with him, playing his favorite singer Frank Sinatra in the background.
Despite having heart problems in the past, Persichitti was in remarkable health for his age of 102 according to Stewart. Born in a coal mining town outside Pittsburgh, he grew up in humble circumstances before working as a carpentry teacher in Rochester, New York. Persichitti loved traveling and sharing his experiences with younger generations often visiting schools to talk about World War II. His friend Pastor William Leone expressed his deep sadness at Persichitti’s passing and described it as an honor to have known him.
