Anthony A. Agatucci

Anthony A. Agatucci, 85, of East Peoria died at OSF St. Francis Medical Center at 12:52 PM on Wednesday, June 14, 2006. He was born on January 1, 1921 in Peoria, Illinois to Gregorio (George) and Nunzia DiMarco Agatucci and grew up in Chicago Heights, Illinois. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 1942 and served honorably until his discharge in January 1946. He served at Camp Pendleton in California and was on Palmyra Island as part of the First Defense Battalion from 1942 to 1944. Later in 1944 he was a machine gun instructor at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina prior to joining the Fifth Amphibious Corps. He was part of the invasion force to assault Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945 and was awarded the Purple Heart for a gunshot wound received on March 5, 1945, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Navy Presidential Unit Citation with bronze star for combat on Iwo Jima while serving with weapons company of the 26th Marines as part of the Fifth Marine Division. He also received the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze star, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia clasp for occupation of Sasebo, Japan in September and October of 1945, six overseas service bars, a service stripe, pistol sharpshooter badge, and rifle marksman badge. He operated grocery stores on Livingston and Seventh Streets in Peoria, Illinois for 23 years following the war and then worked at Caterpillar Tractor Company Morton Parts from 1968 to 1984 until retirement. Following retirement he worked at the Morton Auto Auction from 1993 to 1997. He was a member of American Legion Post 318 in Morton, Illinois. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Nicholas and George, and two sisters, Anna (Ann) and Maria (Mary). He is survived by a son, Dr. Anthony Ray Agatucci, (wife, Patricia) of Springfield, a son Dean Mario Agatucci of East Peoria, a granddaughter, Amy Elizabeth Agatucci of New York City, and several nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be at 10 A.M. on Saturday June 17th at St. Mark Catholic Church 1113 W. Bradley Ave, Peoria. The Rev. Fr. Terry Cassidy will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at St. Mark. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Peoria. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Anthony A. Agatucci Memorial Fund, 1408 Springfield Road, East Peoria, Il. 61611. Deiters Funeral Home of East Peoria is in charge of arrangements.

Anthony A. Agatucci

January 1, 1921 - June 14, 2006