Final Salute

Anthony Joseph Antunes, a lifelong resident of Peekskill, New York, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2026, at the age of 99. Born in Mount Vernon, New York, on March 27, 1927, he was the eldest of six children born to Seraphin and Elvira Antunes, immigrants from Portugal who settled in New York to build a life and raise their family.

As a young child, he moved to Peekskill, where he attended local schools from kindergarten through high school. A proud Peekskill native, he graduated early from Peekskill High School in 1944 so that he could enlist in the United States Navy during World War II. He served in the Navy Seabees, attaining the rank of Carpenter’s Mate Third Class while stationed in the Aleutian Islands. Upon returning home, he attended Peekskill Business School for two years before beginning a career that would span more than six decades.

Before and after his service in the Navy, he worked for Peekskill Produce Company, delivering fruits and vegetables to and from farms in Westchester and Dutchess Counties down to Manhattan markets. His long-term career then began with the New York Seven-Up Bottling Company driving a truck to deliver soda beverages throughout Northern Westchester County. Through hard work, determination, and a natural ability to connect with people, he developed lasting relationships with store owners, restaurant operators, and supermarket managers throughout the region. His talents and leadership led to steady promotions, first to Sales Manager and then Division Manager in Westchester, Newburgh, Long Island, and New Rochelle. He eventually rose through the ranks to executive staff positions, working directly for company Founder and President Jack Joyce, whom he admired greatly and spoke of often as his mentor throughout his life. His final position with the company placed him in charge of its real estate holdings, truck fleets, warehouses, and vehicle operations in NY/NJ/CT. When the company ultimately closed its doors, he took pride in being the last employee to lock the door behind him.

Retirement did not suit him. He worked for Coca-Cola for another five years before retiring once again. Six months later, still eager to stay active, he accepted a part-time position with BOCES, delivering supplies to schools throughout Northern Westchester.  He remained there for eleven years and finally retired at age 81. Although he spent periods of his life living in Shrub Oak, Wappingers Falls, and Floral Park, Peekskill was always home. He was especially proud of his roots in the “Finktown” section of the city, where he spent much of his childhood. His boyhood adventures were later chronicled in Robert Barthelmes’ book on Finktown, which referenced “The Hut,” a neighborhood clubhouse he and his friends built and passed down to younger generations.

Among his greatest joys was spending time on the Hudson River. During the 1950s and 1960s, he enjoyed two decades of boating and belonged to several organizations, including Viking Boatyard, See’s Boatyard, Hudson Valley Yacht Club, and Peekskill Yacht Club. He welcomed family and friends aboard for countless excursions up and down the Hudson River, traveling as far north as Lake Champlain and east to Long Island Sound. Those adventures often included evenings spent docked at riverside marinas enjoying good food, live music, and dancing.

Later in life, he discovered a love for golf while traveling for business. He became a member of Whitney Farms Golf Club in Monroe, Connecticut where he spent many weekends playing with friends and colleagues. He also enjoyed many of Westchester County’s golf courses and continued playing the game until age 91. He was also a member of the Peekskill Elks Lodge. For more than two decades, he rarely missed the annual “Peekskill Day” gathering in Jupiter, Florida, where he reunited with old friends and neighbors. His favorite place to visit and vacation with family was Hilton Head, South Carolina.

His Catholic faith was a guiding force throughout his life. He attended Mass regularly at churches throughout Westchester and Dutchess Counties and formed friendships with many priests and monsignors. To his final days, he never passed a church without making the Sign of the Cross. He was equally committed to maintaining his health and remained active well into his 90s, exercising regularly at the VA facility in Montrose, NY for more than 30 years.

Proud of his Portuguese heritage, he returned to Portugal at age 87 after more than eight decades away. Accompanied by his daughter, son-in-law, and cousins, he visited the villages of his parents’ birth and met extended family members, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He was predeceased by his parents, Seraphin and Elvira Antunes; his brothers, Fernando and Andrew; and his sisters, Irene, Beatrice, and Marie Theresa.  He is survived by his beloved daughter, Pamela Perrelli and her husband, Anthony, of Ridgefield, Connecticut; his grandson, Anthony Perrelli of Ridgefield; his granddaughter, Julie Perrelli of Brookfield, Connecticut; and his cherished great-grandsons, Daniel and Michael Perrelli of Ridgefield. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

A proud veteran, dedicated worker, faithful Catholic, and devoted family man, Anthony Antunes lived a life marked by service, perseverance, humility, generosity, and love. Nothing brought him greater joy than his family. He took immense pride in his daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and cherished every opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and share in their lives. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and remembered with gratitude by the many lives he touched throughout his remarkable 99 years.  A mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday June 20, 9:30 am, Holy Spirit Church, Cortlandt Manor, followed by interment with military honors at Assumption Cemetery.  Visiting at Dorsey Carlone Funeral Home on Friday, 4 – 8 pm.