Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Anthony L. Girillo (Tony), 92, passed away peacefully in his home of natural causes on September 10, 2017.   Born in West Harrison, NY outside of White Plains, on July 21, 1925, Tony and his identical twin brother Greg were the last remaining siblings of Antonio and Maria Girillo who immigrated to West Harrison from Italy in 1905.  Since 1965, Tony resided in Oxon Hill, Maryland with his wife of 68 years Alice “Esther” (Coombs).  Tony married Alice in 1949 and they have three daughters, Susan, Pamela and Brenda, three son-in-laws, six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.  

As an Italian American, Tony appreciated the opportunities of American life.  On November 11, 1943, Tony and his twin brother were inducted into the Army Air Corps.  Their first tour of duty was during WWII where they served in Italy repairing B-25 aircraft radio communications.  Honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps in 1945, Tony went to work for Chrysler Corporation in New York as a mechanic. 

In 1947, he joined the NY Air National Guard and trained as a Radar Technician.  He was commissioned by the Air Force to active duty during the Korean War.  During his military career he served in WWII, the Korean War, the Cold War and the Vietnam War.  His most memorable tour was on the Texas Tower 4 General Surveillance Radar station, located 63 miles south-southwest off the coast of Long Island, New York in 185 feet of water. 

Tony earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Maryland.  After retiring as a Major from a lifelong career with the Air Force in 1970 , Tony began working with  St. Charles Cable TV in Maryland, as Vice President, and then with the Veterans Administration, in Washington, DC where he retired from in 1991.  

An honorable man who served his country and loved his family, he leaves behind a legacy of kindness, love, and memories cherished by his wife Alice, daughters Susan Novotny (John), Pamela Au (Jim), Brenda Evans (Matthew); his six grandchildren Matthew, Nathan, Anthony, Joseph, Kylie, Maggie; and six great grandchildren Cameron, Jahsiah, Easton, Payton, Oliver, Micah.  

Visitation will be on September 16 from 1 pm to 4 pm at George Kalas Funeral Home in Oxon Hill, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Project. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.


Anthony Girillo

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