World War II veteran Robert Persichitti, a 102-year-old US Navy veteran, passed away while traveling to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, as reported by Honor Flight Rochester, a veterans organization. Persichitti was described as a wonderful, humble man who served as a radioman aboard the USS Eldorado in the Pacific, including tours of duty in Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Guam. He was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame in 2020.
While on his way to Normandy for the D-Day anniversary, Persichitti fell ill during a stop in Germany and was airlifted to the hospital, where he passed away shortly after. According to a friend who was traveling with him, Persichitti was at peace and comfortable, listening to Frank Sinatra as he peacefully left the world. Despite previous heart problems, Persichitti was considered to be in exceptional health for his age.
Born in a coal mining town near Pittsburgh, Persichitti came from humble beginnings and worked as a carpentry teacher in Rochester, New York after the war. He later earned a degree from SUNY Buffalo in 1972. The loss of Persichitti was deeply felt by those who knew him as a kind and easy-to-talk-to individual. His dedication and service during World War II will always be remembered and honored by those who had the privilege of knowing him.