Robert Persichitti, a 102-year-old World War II U.S. Navy veteran, died last week en route to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The death was confirmed by Honor Flight Rochester, a veterans organization.
Persichitti was a “wonderful, pleasant, humble guy” who was “easy to know, easy to talk to,” said Honor Flight Rochester President and CEO Richard Stewart. He stated to CNN who learned of his friend’s death last Friday (31).
“We miss him,” Stewart said.
Persichitti died on the way to Normandy – where the Allied Army landed on June 6, 1944 to fight and defeat the Nazis.
The veteran served in the Pacific as a radio communicator aboard the USS Eldorado, Stewart said.
Persichitti passed through Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Guam. He fell ill last week during a stopover in Germany.
A friend who was traveling with Persichitti, said the CNN WHAM, that the veteran was taken to the hospital and died soon after.
“The doctor was with him. He was not alone, he was at peace and comfortable,” DeCarlo said. “She put her favorite singer, Frank Sinatra, on her phone and he peacefully left us.”
Persichitti has had heart problems in the past, “but for 102, I would say he was in excellent health,” Stewart told CNN .
The veteran was born in a coal mining town outside of Pittsburgh.
After the war, Persichitti worked as a carpentry teacher in Rochester, New York, and in 1972 received a degree from SUNY Buffalo.
Persichitti enjoyed traveling and speaking to younger generations about his experiences, often visiting schools to talk to students about World War II.
“It was a privilege to know him, and I will miss him,” Persichitti’s friend, Pastor William Leone, told CNN WHAM.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
