- Date Of Birth: January 5, 1925
- Date Of Death: February 27, 2018
- State: New York
Anthony F. (Tony) Vanacore was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 5th, 1925 to Michael and Anna Vanacore. Tony was the oldest of four boys, brothers Fred and John (both deceased) and the youngest Michael. Tony attended Brooklyn Tech H.S., but left in 1943 to join the war effort. He was assigned to the 45th Infantry Division. Tony made the invasion at Anzio, was wounded and returned to make the invasion of Southern France before being captured and sent to a German concentration camp. He was liberated in 1945. Tony was the recipient of the Prisoner of War Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the French Legion of Honor Medal. Tony was honorably discharged at the end of the war.
Tony was married to Catherine (Pinky) Zurich on May 14th, 1949. They had two children, Michael and Toni Anne. Tony went to work at the NY Sanitation Department and rose to the rank of Foreman. After retiring, he worked for many years at the New York Coliseum and the Jacob Javits Center. He was devoted to his wife Pinky and mourned her death in 1986 until his own passing.
Tony was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and Commander of the Brooklyn “Key” Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War (2 time Commander).
Tony passed away on March 27, 2018. Tony was 93 years old. He leaves behind his daughter Toni, son Michael, daughter-in-law Patricia, brother Michael and partner Randee Hansen and his nieces and nephews. Tony was a loving and devoted parent, always proud of his children.
