FISHKILL – Anthony S. Esposito, a Fishkill resident since 1979, formerly of Peekskill and North Tarrytown, passed away on Friday, October 8, 2021, at The Wingate at Dutchess. He was 97.

Son of the late John and Fanny (Mascolo) Esposito, Anthony was born in Peekskill, NY on November 28, 1923. A World War II Veteran, Anthony enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 17 years of age. He served his country proudly and honorably aboard the USS Emmons DD-457, DMS-22, a destroyer/minesweeper, from 1941 – 1945, as a 3rd Class Torpedoman.

After participating in the North African Campaign, the Bombardment of Cherbourg and the D-Day invasion at Normandy, his ship was sent to the Pacific theater. Anthony was one of the survivors when his ship was struck by 5 Japanese kamikazes and sunk at the Battle of Okinawa. He has been a regular attendee at the USS Emmons Annual Reunions with many of his shipmates.

He was an active member of the Fishkill VFW #1286. Anthony was an Assembly Line Relief Man for General Motors Corp., in North Tarrytown, NY before retiring in 1977 after 30 years. He was a former member of U.A.W. Local 664.

In 1947, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth P. Pellegrino, in North Tarrytown, NY. They had celebrated 65 years of marriage when Elizabeth predeceased him in 2013.

Survivors include his children: Donna Cappelli & her husband, Alfred, of Wappingers Falls and Michael & his wife Judith of Fishkill; his grandchildren, Melissa (Anthony) Martinetti, Michelle (Phil) Martinetti, Lisa Esposito and Nicole Bloomer; his grandson-in-law, Mike Yarbrough; his 12 great-grandchildren, A.J., Isabella, Giuliana, Luca, Patrick, James, Catherine, Lilia, Madison, Michele, Cristian and Jonathan; his brother, Edward and his wife, Geraldine, of Wappingers Falls; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives & friends.

In addition to his wife and parents, Anthony was predeceased by his siblings, Frank "Fay" Esposito, Antoinette Autero, Joseph Esposito, Susan Pellegrino, and Carmela Esposito; and his granddaughter, Christine Yarbrough.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday at 10 am at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street followed by interment at Assumption Cemetery in Cortlandt Manor, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lt. John J. Griffin/U.S.S. Emmons Memorial Scholarship Fund, 36078 Huntington St., Millville, DE 19967-6877; www.ussemmons.org

For online tributes and to watch the livestream, you can visit Anthony's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.