Anthony J. Sacco Sr., 90
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. â€' Anthony J. Sacco Sr., 90, of 611 State Road died Saturday, July 18, 2009, at North Adams Regional Hospital surrounded by his family. A longtime businessman and civic leader in North Adams, he was honored in 1999 for his many years of volunteerism when the span over the Hoosic River on State Road was named the Anthony J. Sacco Sr. Bridge.Born in North Adams on Feb. 14, 1919, a son of Frank and Maria Marchia Sacco, he attended city schools.
One the six Sacco brothers who served in World War II, he was a decorated Army Air Forces veteran. He served 3 1/2 years in England and North Africa with 303rd Bomb Group Squad known as the "Hells Angels" and received the Eastern Theater of Operations medal for the North African campaign and Presidential Citation, among others.
Mr. Sacco purchased a cobbler business in 1964, operating it as Tony's Shoe Service until retiring in 1982. The well known shop was located on Eagle Street for many years. He first worked for the former Wall-Streeter Shoe Co. for 28 years as a shoe cutter and later as foreman.
He was a communicant of the former St. Anthony's Church and an active member of its parish, singing in the choir and lecturing. He also was a soloist at funerals. In the 1960s, whin his children attended Greylock Elementary School, he served as president of the PTG and helped to organize floats for the Fall Foliage Parade.
Mr. Sacco was very involved with helping his fellow veterans. He was a life member of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion, serving as its commander in 1977 and as the Legion's District 1 commander in 1979. He helped to organize "Mystery Rides" for veterans at the Northampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center and made visits to veterans' homes, hospitals and nursing facilities. He was honored to fold flags at many graveside services. He was very active in the Christmas dinners served at the American Legion.
In 1990, after 40 years of service to the American Legion, he received the statewide Legionnaire of the Year Award.
He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the North Adams Retired Men's Club and the Monday Night Cribbage Club. In the summers, he volunteered at the city's Tourist Information Booth and, in 1992, was given the Helpful Tourism Award by then Gov. William Weld. After retiring, he and his wife, the former Annie Harrison, spent winters in Harlingen, Texas, spending much of their time volunteering for the Help One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) reading program with Hispanic children.
His wife, whom he married Feb. 16, 1946, in England died June 18, 1993.
He leaves his daughter, Margaret Ciepiela and her husband, Ronald, of North Adams; four sons, retired city firefighter Anthony Sacco Jr. and his wife, Christine, of North Adams, Michael Paul Sacco and his wife, Molly, of Becket, Stephen David Sacco and his wife, Julie, of Lancaster, Pa., and North Adams Police Lt. David Mark Sacco and his wife, Nora, of North Adams; 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his five brothers Peter Sacco, Ralph Sacco, Pasquale Sacco, Joseph Sacco and Samuel Sacco, who was killed in World War II, and two sisters, Margaret Blanquart and Theresa Thomas.
FUNERAL NOTICE â€' Funeral services for Mr. Sacco will take place Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in North Adams. Burial will follow with full military honors in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Monday from 4 to 7. Memorial donations are suggested for the Anne Sacco Scholarship Fund at American Legion Post 125 North Adams Ladies' Auxiliary through the funeral home.