Hyde Park – Anthony Donald Coluccio Sr., 93, of Hyde Park, NY and Barefoot Bay, Fl., passed away peacefully on November 30, 2017 at Vassar Brothers Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Poughkeepsie, NY on September 26, 1924 to Frank Coluccio and Coletta Panessa Coluccio and spent his childhood growing up at 35 Cottage Street in Poughkeepsie. When he was thirteen, his father died and he and his siblings went to work to help support the family. Tony worked as a pin setter at the Dutchess Bowling Alley on Washington Street, caddied at College Hill Golf Course, and worked at the Poughkeepsie Leather Works Company. He told stories of gathering coal from the railroad yard, across the street from where they lived, to heat their home.
On January 20, 1946, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Poughkeepsie, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Angelina Marie Uva who predeceased him on June 4, 2016. They celebrated over 70 fun filled years together as husband and wife.
Tony entered the United States Army Air Force in October of 1942. He was a waist gunner on B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators. He flew 28 missions during World War II and was wounded twice during his service. Among his numerous medals, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. At the end of the war, he spent an additional 20 years as a Reservist in the United States Air Force. He retired as a Master Sergeant from Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh, NY.
After the war, he began to hone his skills as a fine craftsman working as a union mason on many large scale projects, including the Cheney Building on the State Hospital grounds, and the Smith Street Housing Projects in the City of Poughkeepsie. Along with his brother Pat and his Uncle Tony Panessa, he founded Panessa and Coluccio Builders, and owned and operated Panessa and Coluccio Route 82 Sand & Gravel in Millbrook, NY. The homes they built are still regarded as some of the most beautifully handcrafted homes in the Hudson Valley, including Little Switzerland in Hopewell, and Brentwood Estates in Spackenkill, where many of the streets bear his family’s names.
He was a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Poughkeepsie. He was a 60 year member of The Italian Center, a member of the Mount Carmel Sportsmen’s’ Club, and a lifetime member of the Rogers Point Boating Association. After retirement, he worked for many years alongside his son Frank at Legion Fireworks Co. in Wappingers Falls. He also volunteered at Vassar Bros. Hospital and the former Saint Francis Hospital. He loved boating and the water, their winters in Barefoot Bay, and his many fishing trips with friends and family through the locks to Lake Champlain.
He is survived by his six children; Frank Coluccio (Roberta Theiss) of Fishkill, NY, Donna Betts (Donald Brown) of Poughkeepsie, NY, Michael Coluccio (Linda) of Staatsburg, NY, Anthony Coluccio Jr. (Donna) of Hyde Park, NY, Ronald Coluccio of Dingmans Ferry, PA, and Danny Coluccio (Sue) of Hyde Park, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren Katherine, Paul (Krissy), and Michelle Coluccio, Robert Betts (Sarah), Michael Jr., Sean, and Seth Coluccio, Gina and Mia Coluccio, Christopher Walsh and Tanner Coluccio, Shelby Coluccio, and great-grandchildren Chloe Coluccio and Paige Walsh. He is also survived by his sisters Mary Contursi and Grace Legname, and his brother Frank Coluccio.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Donald and Patsy, and his sister Frances Coluccio Walsh.
Calling hours will take place on Monday, December 4th from 2-4 and 6-8pm at 218 Mill St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Wheelchair accessible entrance located in the rear of funeral home, on Vassar St.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 5th 9:30am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Poughkeepsie.
Burial with Military Honors will take place at Saint Peter’s Cemetery in Poughkeepsie.
