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(Tuesday - January
19, 2021) - Anthony M. Amato, age 100, "Uncle Tony" as he was known to
all who knew and loved him, made his final flight Monday, January 18, to
his Heavenly Home. He is now with his beloved wife of sixty-four years,
"Aunt Marge," and all his relatives who passed through the gates of
Heaven before him. Uncle Tony, a hero of World War II, was the top
gunner in a B-24 Liberator. He flew forty-nine bombing missions over
"the Hump" in India to China. He sometimes said, "returning on a wing
and a prayer." Tony received the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two Bronze
Stars.
Anthony Amato was born to Theresa and Paul Amato on
September 18, 1920, in Jersey City, New Jersey, the fifth of seven
children. He was preceded in death by his wife Marge; four brothers and
one sister; two nephews Joe Scuro Jr. and Ken Sovey Jr.; and niece Donna
Henderson.
On February 24, 1945, while on leave from the Army Air
Force, he married Marjorie Hjerpe in Chicago. After his Army discharge,
they lived in Chicago for a time they then moved to Denver, Colorado.
Tony was employed by Medline Industries as one of their first sales
representatives and was with them his entire career. He received many
awards and accolades from Medline and the hospitals he worked with. When
Tony retired, he and Marge built their retirement home on the Spread
Eagle Chain of Lakes. They spent 40 some years there. When Aunt Marge
died in December of 2009, Uncle Tony remained in their home until three
years ago. He then moved to what he referred to as his "second home,"
Evergreen Assisted Living. He referred to the caregivers as "like
family." Many thanks to them and to his doctor of many years, Steven
Leonard.
Uncle Tony will be lovingly remembered as a "second
father" to the Hjerpe Family. We spent every happy summer with him and
Aunt Marge. Their home was always open to all of us. All our wonderful
memories of Spread Eagle revolve around Aunt Marge and Uncle Tony. Our
last celebration with Uncle Tony was for his 100th Birthday on September
18th of 2020. His nieces and nephews: Terry Ann (Ken) Sovey, Bobbi (Joe)
Caccamisi, Chuck (Cindy) Hjerpe, Sue (Ed) Langford, and Steve (Karen)
Hjerpe joined him at Evergreen Assisted Living. Even though we were
separated by a window, there was singing, many gifts and of course a
huge cake. Thanks to nephews Charles, Chuck, and great-nephew Greg Sovey,
Tony was joined with the rest of his family by Zoom. He remarked with
his great sense of humor, "Gee, you people look old!!!!" His sister
Philomena Scuro, nephews: Charles (Mary Jean) Marino, Vincent (Tina)
Scuro, Andrew (Diane) Carrano, and nieces Ursula Martin, Jeanie (Sonny)
Idol, and Theresa Carrano all joined in the fun. He will also be
remembered fondly by many great-nephews and nieces including Greg and
Brian Sovey, Stacey, Terry and Michael Hjerpe, Russ and Eric Graham,
Kari and Chad Hendrickson, Ryan Langford, and Haley Hjerpe; and special
friends Richard and Joan Pataconi.
A celebration of Uncle Tony's
amazing long life will be held in July when his family hopefully can
gather. Burial will take place in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain.
Memorials in Tony's memory will be welcomed by the World War II and
Glider Museum, 300 Kent Street, Iron Mountain, Michigan, 49801.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Tony's family online at:
www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com
The family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services of
Iron Mountain to honor Tony's legacy of life.
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