Memorial & Remembrance

Obituary

Anthony Paul Battaglia

March 18, 1945 – February 20, 2024

Honoring the life, service, and memory of Anthony Paul Battaglia.

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Anthony (Tony) Paul Battaglia, born March 18, 1945, passed away on February 20, 2024, at the age of 78. A proud Navy veteran, Tony dedicated over 20 years of service to his country, retiring as Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) in 1991. His military career earned him numerous decorations, including the Third Navy Commendation Medal, Second Navy Achievement Medal, Third Good Conduct Award, Second National Defense Service Medal, Third Meritorious Unit Commendation, Third Battle 'E' Ribbon, Nine Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Tenth Overseas Ribbon, and the Navy Expeditionary Medal.

His final duty station was in Naples, Italy, where he remained close to his Italian heritage and frequently visited his Italian family and parents, Benita Sinapi Battaglia and Russ Battaglia. The military life provided Tony and his family with opportunities for travel and adventure, a cherished aspect of their lives.

Tony is survived by his sister, Mary G. Battaglia; his daughter, Benita Weaver; and his twin sons, Nino Battaglia and Jean Pierre Battaglia. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Mia Weaver and Anthony Imbriaco, as well as two great-grandchildren, Ella and Lana Imbriaco. Later in life, Tony remarried and had a daughter, Elizabeth Battaglia.

Following his military career, Tony worked with Cummins Inc., where he formed lasting friendships. His most meaningful contributions, however, were his dedicated hours of volunteer work at the Veterans Hospital. Tony's love for the sea extended beyond his naval career. He was an avid fisherman, spending countless peaceful hours on Lake Bradford at Little Creek Base, casting for his favorite bass. Fishing was his solace, a place where he could reflect, unwind, and enjoy nature. Tony had true love for life's simple pleasures, he loved a good cup of coffee with friends and movies with family. Born in Rome and having spent cherished years in Italy and Spain, he carried the spirit of great cuisine in his heart. He never lost his appreciation for a good meal with company of those he loved.

Tony bravely fought cancer before passing. Though life took him down different paths, his legacy as a serviceman, father, brother, and friend endures.

May he rest in peace.

In Their Own Words

From His Shipmates

Martin “Marty” Palmiere

EMC(SW), USN (Ret.)

Served aboard USS IOWA BB-61

To the extended Famiglia of Tony “B” or as we all referred to him on the IOWA...Mr. B., my most heartfelt condolences on the loss of “the Boss”... He took this young sailor from Pittsburgh with Italian roots under his wing and taught me not only how to be a leader, but also greatly improving my linguistic skills with the Italian language, specifically that spoken in Southern Italy......all started when he addressed me as “guaglione” and all he got back was a “deer in the headlights” look...

My 'O Bisnonn arrived here in 1888, my future Bisnonna arrived in 1898, they were married in 1902 and one of their rules besides changing the spelling of the last letter in the last name from "i" to "e" was that Italian would not be taught to the coming generations as we were "American" now.

Your Dad helped my recover a lot of my roots in addition to showing me what it was to be in a leadership role, for that, I'm forever grateful as it helped my career immensely.

“Rest easy Sailor, ship your oars, your watch is over, your shipmates have the watch.”

Fair Winds & Following Seas Mr. “B”.

— Marty Palmiere