Anthony J. Falsone

Anthony J. "A.J." Falsone August 5, 1920 September 12, 2010 In the fullness of God's time, His good and faithful servant, Anthony J. Falsone, was called to his eternal reward on September 12, 2010. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 16, at St. Jerome Catholic Church with the Father Rakshaganathan Selvaraj as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Mausoleum. Visitation will be 6 - 8 p.m. and Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel. Anthony, also known as A.J. or Tony, was born August 5, 1920, in Highbank, Texas, to Joseph and Frances 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 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". 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 parents; 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; two sons, Joe Falsone and wife, Carole Anne, and Mark Falsone; two daughters, Fransara Shoultz and husband, Charles, and Trish Dunn and husband, Cecil; grandchildren, Anthony, Anna, Chip, Sara, Becky, Emma, Jennifer and husband, Brian, Patrick, Haley and Hunter; great grandchildren, Chase, Miranda and Leil; sisters, Angeline Cangelosi and Camella Scamardo and husband, Pete; and numerous nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers are Anthony's grandchildren, who lovingly called him "Paw-Paw". In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jerome Catholic Church. The family wishes to thank all of the caregivers that have helped Anthony over the last 5 years, including those at St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine at Providence Park, and in recent years Sue, Joycelyn, Rosa, Nancy, Rene, Catrice, Debbie, Maria, Anne and Paul Gibson at Eden House. Our deepest appreciation also goes to the caregiver team at Bluebonnet Services. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.