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Anthony J. “A.J., Tony” Falsone

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Anthony J. “A.J., Tony” Falsone

Birth
Highbank, Falls County, Texas, USA
Death
12 Sep 2010 (aged 90)
Waco, McLennan County, Texas, USA
Burial
Robinson, McLennan County, Texas, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Anthony J. Falsone, was called to his eternal reward on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 16, at St. Jerome Catholic Church with the Father Rakshaganathan Selvaraj as Celebrant. Entombment will follow at Waco Memorial Mausoleum. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. and Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel.

Anthony, also known as A.J. or Tony, was born in Highbank, Texas, to the late Joseph and Frances (Labarbera) Falsone. He grew up in this farming community and helped his family in growing cotton, working in the mercantile store, and the local post office. At his father's urging he began a college career at Texas A&M, but after his first year, he returned home because his father became ill, and he was needed to take care of the family business.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Anthony, at the age of 22, decided to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After extensive training, he was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 389th Bomb Group, stationed in Hethel, England, and flew air support missions on D-Day and after.

On his 20th mission, his plane was shot down on July 25, 1944, and Anthony parachuted to save his life. He was captured and imprisoned until April, 1945, when the war was nearing an end. Anthony was a true testament to the heroes and patriots of that "Greatest Generation".
===========================
Bombardier Lt Anthony J.Falsone, POW Highbank, TX
Squadron: 567th BS 389th Bomb Group
Pilot Lt Frank J. Schwermin, POW Effingham, IL

Target:St. Lo Area B
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#: 8162
Date Lost: 25-Jul-44
Serial Number: 42-50478
Aircraft Model B-24J-401-CF
Aircraft Letter: T-
Aircraft Name: MISS SHIRLEY
Location: St. Lo France area
Cause: AA 3 EVD, 1 KIA, 6 POW
Notes: Just after passing the target ship hit by flak, and fell out of formation. Bomb bay on fire, but flying on even keel. 8-10 chutes observed.
=============================

Upon honorable discharge from military service, he returned home and soon married the love of his life, Frances Pauline "Polly" Tusa. The two were inseparable and you rarely saw one without the other. They were married 64 years. They raised five children, although one preceded him in death in 1972. Anthony had a successful business career and supported his family as a grocer for about 20 years (Falsone Minit Market on Circle Road was his last store), and car salesman at Bird-Kultgen Ford for about 20 years. Anthony knew that all that he had in life was from the goodness of God and did whatever he could to give back. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus council 1358 and Msgr. J.J. Kearns Assembly. He served in various ways in the Catholic churches in Waco, beginning at St. Mary's, then helping to build the new St. Louis School and Church, and finally helping to build St. Jerome Church. In his retirement years, he was a member of the American Ex-POW group, volunteered at the local V.A. Hospital and in the emergency room at Providence Hospital. Anthony was dearly loved by his family and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his son, Stephen Falsone; sisters, Frances Restino, Mary Dicorte, Rose Denena and Benetta Wenning; and brothers, Jim, Robert and Joe Falsone.

He is survived by his wife, Polly Falsone; sons, Joe Falsone and wife, Carole Anne, and Mark Falsone; daughters, Fransara Shoultz and husband, Charles, and Trish Dunn and husband, Cecil; grandchildren, Anthony, Anna, Chip, Sara, Becky, Emma, Jennifer, Patrick, Haley and Hunter; great-grandson, Chase; sisters, Angeline Cangelosi and Camella Scamardo and husband, Pete; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Waco Tribune-Herald: 9/13/2010...I6(2)
Anthony J. Falsone, was called to his eternal reward on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 16, at St. Jerome Catholic Church with the Father Rakshaganathan Selvaraj as Celebrant. Entombment will follow at Waco Memorial Mausoleum. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. and Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel.

Anthony, also known as A.J. or Tony, was born in Highbank, Texas, to the late Joseph and Frances (Labarbera) Falsone. He grew up in this farming community and helped his family in growing cotton, working in the mercantile store, and the local post office. At his father's urging he began a college career at Texas A&M, but after his first year, he returned home because his father became ill, and he was needed to take care of the family business.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Anthony, at the age of 22, decided to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After extensive training, he was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 389th Bomb Group, stationed in Hethel, England, and flew air support missions on D-Day and after.

On his 20th mission, his plane was shot down on July 25, 1944, and Anthony parachuted to save his life. He was captured and imprisoned until April, 1945, when the war was nearing an end. Anthony was a true testament to the heroes and patriots of that "Greatest Generation".
===========================
Bombardier Lt Anthony J.Falsone, POW Highbank, TX
Squadron: 567th BS 389th Bomb Group
Pilot Lt Frank J. Schwermin, POW Effingham, IL

Target:St. Lo Area B
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#: 8162
Date Lost: 25-Jul-44
Serial Number: 42-50478
Aircraft Model B-24J-401-CF
Aircraft Letter: T-
Aircraft Name: MISS SHIRLEY
Location: St. Lo France area
Cause: AA 3 EVD, 1 KIA, 6 POW
Notes: Just after passing the target ship hit by flak, and fell out of formation. Bomb bay on fire, but flying on even keel. 8-10 chutes observed.
=============================

Upon honorable discharge from military service, he returned home and soon married the love of his life, Frances Pauline "Polly" Tusa. The two were inseparable and you rarely saw one without the other. They were married 64 years. They raised five children, although one preceded him in death in 1972. Anthony had a successful business career and supported his family as a grocer for about 20 years (Falsone Minit Market on Circle Road was his last store), and car salesman at Bird-Kultgen Ford for about 20 years. Anthony knew that all that he had in life was from the goodness of God and did whatever he could to give back. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus council 1358 and Msgr. J.J. Kearns Assembly. He served in various ways in the Catholic churches in Waco, beginning at St. Mary's, then helping to build the new St. Louis School and Church, and finally helping to build St. Jerome Church. In his retirement years, he was a member of the American Ex-POW group, volunteered at the local V.A. Hospital and in the emergency room at Providence Hospital. Anthony was dearly loved by his family and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his son, Stephen Falsone; sisters, Frances Restino, Mary Dicorte, Rose Denena and Benetta Wenning; and brothers, Jim, Robert and Joe Falsone.

He is survived by his wife, Polly Falsone; sons, Joe Falsone and wife, Carole Anne, and Mark Falsone; daughters, Fransara Shoultz and husband, Charles, and Trish Dunn and husband, Cecil; grandchildren, Anthony, Anna, Chip, Sara, Becky, Emma, Jennifer, Patrick, Haley and Hunter; great-grandson, Chase; sisters, Angeline Cangelosi and Camella Scamardo and husband, Pete; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Waco Tribune-Herald: 9/13/2010...I6(2)


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