Robert Persichitti, a 102-year-old World War II US Navy veteran, recently passed away while en route to France to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The news of his death was met with sadness by all who knew him.
Honor Flight Rochester, a veterans organization that had been planning the trip with Persichitti, described him as a wonderful, pleasant, and humble individual who was easy to know and talk to. Persichitti had served in the Pacific as a radioman aboard the USS Eldorado during World War II and had participated in significant battles such as Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Guam. His dedication to his country led to his induction into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame in 2020.
During his trip to France, Persichitti fell ill while in Germany and was airlifted to a hospital where he passed away. His friend Al DeCarlo shared that Persichitti was not alone and was listening to his favorite singer, Frank Sinatra, when he peacefully left the world. Despite having some heart problems in the past, Persichitti was in superb health for his age.
Born in a coal mining town outside Pittsburgh, Persichitti rose to become a carpentry teacher in Rochester after the war. He also earned a degree from SUNY Buffalo in 1972. Persichitti enjoyed sharing his experiences with younger generations and frequently visited schools to speak about World War II. Friends and acquaintances of Persichitti expressed their privilege in knowing him and their gratitude for his friendship.
