Joseph DiSanto, 93 of Floral City, died Sunday, May 17, 2015 at his home under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast. Born in Newark, New Jersey on March 2, 1922 to the late Dominick and Lucia DiSanto, he came here in 1981 from Ringwood, NJ. Mr. DiSanto retired from the Ford Motor Company as an electrician after 30 years of service. He was a WWII US Army veteran serving with the 44th and 82nd Airborne Divisions, and the 2671 Special Recon Group of the OSS in Africa, France and Italy. He fought with the French and Italian Resistance Forces in Italy.
Among his many military decorations he was awarded the Bronze Star, OSS Office of Strategic Service Medal, the European African Middle East Campaign Medal with 2 Arrow Head Invasions and 4 Battle Stars, and the Parachute Wings Medal with 3 combat jump stars. He was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, the Knights of Columbus (4th degree), VFW Post 7122 in Floral City, 82nd Airborne Association, and the UAW Retirees.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters: Yvonne (Roy) Bryant of Floral City and Claudette (Karl) von der Heyde of West Milford, NJ; 2 brothers: Dominick DiVito of Floral City and JoJo DiVito of New Jersey; 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Aline; his son Paul DiSanto, his daughter, Donna DiSanto; 3 brothers, Peter, Leo & Phillip; 5 sisters, Ann, Minnie, Angelina, Nancy and Antoinette.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, May 21st at 10:00 AM from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church with Fr. Tim Cummings, celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow in Florida National Cemetery. Friends may call at the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home Wednesday from 3:00 until 5:00 pm, where Wake Vigil services will be offered at 4:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are being accepted by Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675
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