Assembly Resolution No. 71
BY: M. of A. Reilly
MOURNING the death of Anthony L. Aquaro,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Anthony L. Aquaro, of Rossville, New York, died on Friday,
January 10, 2025, at the age of 103; he was known as the oldest living
retired New York City Firefighter; he is fondly remembered by the
Uniformed Fire Officers Association as a firefighter who left an
indelible mark on the FDNY and all who knew him; and
WHEREAS, On February 27, 1921, Anthony L. Aquaro was born in
Brooklyn, New York; he met his high school sweetheart, Gloria, when he
was 16 and she was 14 years old; it was love at first sight for the
couple; and
WHEREAS, For the United States Navy, Anthony L. Aquaro served his
country as a Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (BM1) on the USS Impulse, which
secured vital trade routes between the United States and Cuba, and the
USS Kingsmill; he proudly fought in World War II from 1942-1945; in
1944, while home on leave, he married Gloria, the love of his life; and
WHEREAS, Upon his return from the war, Anthony L. Aquaro worked
numerous jobs to support his family, including working in a paper bag
factory and loading freight; and
WHEREAS, In 1953, Anthony L. Aquaro was sworn in as a firefighter
with the FDNY at the age of 31 and would serve with Engine No. 269 in
Brooklyn for 26 years; and
WHEREAS, On December 16, 1960, Anthony L. Aquaro was working when a
United Airlines Douglas DC-8 collided in midair with a TWA Lockheed
L-1049 Super Constellation; the Constellation crashed on Miller Field in
New Dorp, and the DC-8 crashed in Park Slope in Brooklyn; the collision
resulted in the tragic deaths of all 128 passengers aboard the two
aircraft and six people on the ground; and
WHEREAS, Having first settled in New Dorp in 1965, Anthony and
Gloria Aquaro were blessed with two children; through the years, they
would welcome four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Anthony L. Aquaro had said that his greatest blessing was
wealth, not the monetary kind, but the wealth that comes with being
blessed with a beautiful and loving family of children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Countless individuals who were fortunate to know Anthony L.
Aquaro will miss him tremendously; his legacy will be an inspiration to
future generations for years to come; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Anthony L. Aquaro leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Anthony L. Aquaro, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Anthony L. Aquaro.
