ANTHONY ARICO SR.
AGE: 91 • North Brunswick, NJ
Anthony Arico Sr, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 1st, 2015. He was 91.
Born in Gualtieri, Sicamino, Province of Messina (Sicily) he arrived in this country in 1930. He was raised in Norwich, New York, entering the United States Navy in World War II. For his time in the service he received the WWII medal, European African & Middle Eastern medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal, American Campaign medal, D Day participation Medal and an Honorable Discharge medal. He was involved in providing smoke screen cover for the landing craft during the invasion of Normandy. Later, while sweeping for mines off the coast of Okinawa preparing for the invasion of that Island, his ship came under attack by Kamikaze planes. His ship was able to shoot all but one out of the sky. Nearing the end of the war, his ship was ordered to clear the harbor of all mines in Tokyo Bay as it prepared for the arrival of the USS Missouri for the signing of the declaration of surrender with Japan.
After the war he moved to North Brunswick and was employed by Delco Battery where he remained employed until his retirement in 1977. He also operated Arico & Sons Landscaping and later worked for Fingers Radiator in Somerset, New Jersey.
Mr. Arico was a communicant of St. Mary of Mount Virgin R.C. Church in New Brunswick. He was a member of the North Brunswick Democratic Club and was a 50 year district committeeman for the Democratic Organization in the township. He was also a member of the Italian American Club, Monte Carmel Society, Catholic War Veterans, the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus.
He was predeceased by his father and mother, Nicolo & Maria Antonia Arico; a sister Mary Chimento of Norwich, New York; and his father and mother in law Philip and Maria Arno. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Carmela (Arno) Arico; five daughters and four sons - Mary Antoinette and her husband James Denaster of Port Charlotte, Florida, Theresa Goodhart and her husband Michael of Canton, Michigan, Anne Marie Arico of Ruskin Florida, Bernadette Arico of Old Bridge, Joanne Arico of Kendall Park, Nicholas Arico and his wife Kathy of North Brunswick, Anthony Arico Jr. and his wife Heike of Seaside Park, Joseph Arico and his wife Andrea of Jackson and John Arico and his wife Anna, of Bedford, New Hampshire. In addition, he is survived by 22 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; a sister Francis Zieno and brother in law Mario Chimento, both of New York; nephews Thomas Zieno, John Chimento; and a niece Maria Zieno.
A military burial service was held on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 in New Brunswick, NJ.