Anthony Curra Sr.

Anthony "Tony" Currá Sr., Born January 9 ^th , 1920 in Rombiolo, Italy. Son of the late Marino and Teresa Cirillo Currá. In 1933, at the age of 12 his father, having saved enough money, brought his family to America and, Anthony immigrated here with his mom, his sister Grace and his bother Marino. After their two-week voyage riding steerage on board the steamship Vulcania, the ship arrived at the New York harbor. Coming from a poor rural village in southern Italy, Tony recalled how happy he and his family were while they sat in the harbor for two weeks staring at The Statue of Liberty before allowing them to disembark. They proudly became U.S. citizens. Tony went on to graduate from Freeport High School, in Long Island, New York.

On April 7 ^th , 1942, he joined the United States Army Air Corps to serve his new country in WWII and was assigned to the newly formed B17 Air Transport Command stationed at Hamilton Field on the shore of San Pablo Bay, CA. During his service, he flew with high ranking military officials to battle zones in the Pacific as well flying Hollywood stars, such as Gary Cooper and Randolph Scott to entertain the troops.

In 1946, he entered Packard Business College in New York City on the GI Bill and received a degree in accounting and business administration. He worked in New York City for Merril Anderson Advertising Agency and later associated himself with E. Einhorn & Sons, a wholesale fruit and produce company in Mineola, Long Island for 30 years.

In 1953, he met and married Nancy Marie DeRiggi from Waverly, PA. They had three children and remained married for 64 years. Tony and Nancy lived in Freeport, Long Island until his retirement in 1978 when they built a home and moved to Clarks Summit, PA.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who was very proud of his family. He was a quiet, spiritual man. His children and grandchildren affectionately called him Pop and frequently turned to him for wisdom and advice. Tony was a patriot, a man of honor and integrity respected by all who knew him, an avid sports fan who enjoyed playing golf, tennis and bowling. In 1973, he bowled a 299 game at Freeport Bowl. He loved opera, literary classics and vegetable gardening.

Surviving are his wife Nancy, three children, son Anthony Jr. his wife Mary Sztabnik Currá and their two sons Michael and Steven, daughter Celest Krut and her husband Thomas their four children, Thomas Jr. his wife Hillary Rice Krut and their children Tucker, Cohen and Orrin, Nicholas and his wife Samantha Morgan Krut, and Jaqueline and Christina Krut, son Thomas Marino Currá his two Children Mariel and Anthony and several nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

Anthony was preceded in death by his sister Grace Carni and brother Marino.

Tony Currá had a great life. He lived a healthy and fulfilled life of 97 years. He died peacefully of old age with his family by his side.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers for their patience and compassion. A special thanks to the Commonwealth Home Healthcare nurses and Jennifer Sinclair's Home Care nurses. We also would to thank Hospice of the Sacred Heart

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 11 am from the Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green, to be celebrated by Rev. John Lapera Pastor. All those attending are asked to go directly to Church. Interment will take place privately at the convenience of the family.

Friends may call Sunday from 3 to 6 pm at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremations Services Inc. 418 S. State St. Clarks Summit.In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive Wilkes Barre, PA 18702