The oldest active and retired member of the FDNY, who served Brooklyn's streets for nearly 30 years, has died at the age of 103, officials announced. There is only one month left until my next milestone birthday.
Anthony Acquaro, a 26-year veteran of Engine 269 on Union Street, died Friday. Uniformed Firefighters Association Local 854 announced SaturdayIt added that he “left an indelible mark on the FDNY and everyone who knew him.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of retired firefighter Anthony Acquaro,” the FDNY said in a statement to the Post.
“He was a good man who lived a long and wonderful life.”
His cause of death was not immediately known.
Acquaro was a Navy veteran who fought in World War II from 1942 to 1945 and became a member of New York's Bravest in 1953 at the age of 31. Shilive reported.
The famous centenarian married his high school sweetheart during a break during World War II in 1944, and the couple remained married for nearly 81 years, having two children and four children. One grandchild and eight great-grandchildren were born. The Staten Island Advance reported.
“My greatest blessing is wealth,” Acquaro, a Staten Island resident, told Ouellet at his 2023 birthday celebration.
“Wealth comes not from money, but from having a beautiful and loving family of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.”
A wake will be held Monday at Casey McCollum Rice South Shore Funeral Home in Staten Island. Visiting hours will be from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Acquaro's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Clare Roman Catholic Church, also on Staten Island. He will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Flowers Foundation or St. Jude Hospital, according to UFOA Local 854.
