Anthony Aquaro, the oldest retired FDNY firefighter, has died at 103. He served in Brooklyn for nearly 30 years and was a beloved figure in the community.
Staten Island: The oldest living retired member of the FDNY, Anthony Aquaro, has passed away at 103. He served the streets of Brooklyn for nearly 30 years and was just a month away from his 104th birthday.
Aquaro was a Navy veteran who fought in World War II and joined the FDNY in 1953. He worked at Engine 269 on Union Street for 26 years, which is now known as FDNY Squad Company 1.
His family and friends remember him fondly. The FDNY expressed their condolences, calling him a good man who lived a long and wonderful life. His cause of death hasn’t been revealed yet.
Aquaro married his high school sweetheart in 1944 while on leave during the war. They were married for nearly 81 years and had two children, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
During his birthday celebration earlier this year, he shared that his greatest blessing was his loving family, not wealth in the monetary sense. A wake will be held on Monday, and his funeral is set for Tuesday at St. Clare Roman Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or St. Jude’s Hospital, as per the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.
