Anthony F. Salerno, 94, passed away peacefully Monday, July 30, at his home in Battle Creek. Tony, son of Carmello and Anna (Breonte) Salerno, was born April 7, 1918, in Garfield, NJ. He married Ruth Mescher on May 18, 1944, in Roswell, NM.

Tony grew up on the East Coast, working in large diners, preparing up to 1000 meals daily. During World War II, while training in the States, he served as an Army cook, then radio operator, and military police. He was first deployed to Sudeley Castle near London, and because of his rank, stayed in the Castle while the rank and file stayed in tents. He said there were so many troops, everyone had to walk a mile to an outdoor shower – in the middle of Winter. In the European Theater, Tony worked in S2 intelligence in the H&S Co 1285 Combat Engineer Battalion. He sent and received messages in International Morse code and was responsible for collecting and analyzing information in the field, in enemy territory. For example, he crossed over the Rhine River via pontoon bridge to German industrial towns, such as Dusseldorf, to inform HQ what factories to bomb. After the War, Tony worked 31 years on the railroad. He enjoyed reading, history, travel, classical music, gardening, good eats, and spending time with his family, especially celebrating the San Gennaro Feast in Little Italy, New York City.

Tony was preceded in death by sisters and brothers, Mary Iannaci, Catherine (Catie) Adamo, Sam, Carl, Mildred, Sr. Mary Elizabeth (Florence), and Andrew (Pete).

Survivors include his spouse of 68 years, Ruth, and his 8 children: Douglas (Rhonda) Salerno of Traverse City; Dianna (Dale) Dummer of Lansing; David Salerno of Battle Creek; Daniel Salerno of Kalamazoo; Dorothy (Charles) Evans of Longwood, FL; Dominic (Penny) Salerno of Portage; Donna (Larry) Ebbs of Fort Lauderdale, FL; and Deborah (Barry) Salerno of Ann Arbor; 11 grandchildren: Joseph, Peter, Mike, Stefanie, Ben, Mary Angela, Anna, Angela, Jeremy, Katie, and Josiah; 5 great-grandchildren: Thomas, Sean, Michael, Solveig and Aylin. He is also survived by his brother, Dominick, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10-11 AM, Monday, August 6, in the Parish Center lobby before the 11 AM funeral Mass with Fr. Francis Marotti officiating at St. Philip Catholic Church in Battle Creek. Burial will follow with full military honors by the Fort Custer Honor Guard at the Fort Custer National Cemetery. Cremation has taken place at Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Haven of Rest Ministries, 11 Green Street, Battle Creek, MI 49014.

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