Anthony S. Ambrosino, a 53-year resident of Amityville, died Aug. 12, 2008 at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip. He was 80.

Anthony was born on March 2, 1928 in Ozone Park to Antonio and Jenny (Minichino) Ambrosino. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army serving during World War II from 1946 to 1947.

He was employed by Peter Scalamander, Freeport, as an operating engineer at the time of his retirement. He met his wife of 58 years through his cousin. "I worked with his cousin at Croftford Clothes in Long Island City," his wife Mary said.

His wife remembers him for his warmth and wit. "He was a good sport and had a great sense of humor," she said. "Everyone at the funeral said that he didn't look like himself because he wasn't smiling,"

He also enjoyed playing baseball.

Mr. Ambrosino came from a large family of nine siblings. His brother Joseph, who is three years younger than Mr. Ambrosino, recalls even years later how his brother was always there for him. The times were simple then, he said, and the two boys, then 8 and 11, decided to go sleigh riding in Forest Park in Queens. "We didn't have much money so we shared one sled," Joseph recalled. "When it was my turn to go down on the sled, he told me to be careful because there were trees in the way. "And sure enough, I hit a tree and busted my head open."

They were not able to take a bus home so they walked the two miles together. "He was holding me up and when we were three blocks away from the house and I couldn't walk any longer, he picked me up and carried me," said Joseph.

In addition to his wife Mary, and his brother Joseph of Merrick, Mr. Ambrosino is survived by his other children: Denise Stevens and her husband John of Bellport, Lynn Bonanno of Amityville, Keith and Debbie of Amityville, and Scott of Amityville, and his grandchildren: Shannon Stevens of Bellport, Tara Bonanno of Amityville and Dru Stevens of Bellport. He was predeceased by seven brothers and sisters.

Father Thomas McCarthy officiated the service at the Powell Funeral Home, Broadway, Amityville, followed by interment in Long Island Cemetery at Calverton with full military honors on Aug. 15, 2008.