102-year-old World War II veteran passes away on his way to D-Day commemorations in Europe.

Robert “Al” Persichitti, a World War II Navy veteran from Fairport, New York, passed away while en route to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. His friends shared that he had been eagerly looking forward to this trip. Persichitti fell ill during a stop in Germany last week and unfortunately, died in a hospital. He was 102 years old.

The Rev. William Leone, Persichitti’s longtime priest and friend, mentioned that Persichitti had attended many World War II remembrance events in Washington and Louisiana, and he was determined to make it to the D-Day ceremony as well. However, he passed away in Germany before reaching France. A friend who was traveling with him shared that he passed away peacefully while listening to his favorite singer, Frank Sinatra.

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans expressed their condolences for the loss of Persichitti, calling him a “longtime friend.” Persichitti enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served as a radioman on the USS Eldorado during World War II. He participated in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and witnessed the iconic moment of the U.S. flag being raised atop Mount Suribachi.

Before departing for Europe, Persichitti shared that his cardiologist encouraged him to go on the trip, which added to his excitement. A retired public school teacher, he frequently spoke about his wartime experiences in schools and community events. He had also written an autobiography for his family in 2015. Despite his passing, Persichitti’s dedication to honoring the sacrifices of wartime veterans lives on.