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.