Obituary of Albert D'Amico

Albert Anthony D'Amico, 84 of New Britain CT, son of the late Pasquale D'Amico and Maria D'Angelo) D'Amico) died Saturday. He was born on 20 March 1923 and died on 29 December 2007. Before World War II, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camps. As a sailor, Motor Machinist Mate 3rd Class, during World War II, he served on the Landing Ship Tank (LST) 278 and then transferred to LST 399 after LST 278 sank. He was a Higgins Boat Coxswain, transporting men, materiel and ammunition to shore and evacuating the wounded to hospital ships. He participated in five invasions including Saipan, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. During heavy combat on Iwo Jima, he was honored to have transported on his Higgins Boat "Glamour Gal" Joe Rosenthal and the Marines who raised the flag on Mount Suribaci. He also once transported Ernie Pyle. After the War, he was a master machinist and Lead Man; he retired from Pratt and Whitney Aircraft after 35 years. He also worked at New Britain Machine and other machine shops in the area. After his retirement, he was a strong supporter of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW), participated in numerous parades and function around the country, and was a proud sponsor and one of the "Founding Fathers" of the National Iwo Jima Memorial and Park in New Britain. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jeanette (Ouellette) D'Amico; four sons: Thomas of Burke, VA; David and his wife Gail of Barkhamsted, CT; Daniel and his wife Sabine of New Britain, CT; Richard of Middletown, CT; a daughter, Maryann and her husband James Welcome of Winsted, CT; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday 8:00 A.M. from the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 A.M. at St. Joseph's Church 195 So. Main St. New Britain. Burial will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Iwo Jima Survivors Association P.O. Box 310516 Newington, CT 06131