Kelly Anthony Amato

After a long and courageous battle fought with great dignity, Calogero (Kelly) Anthony Amato, 95, departed this earth to join our Lord on Friday, September 23, 2016. He passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter, Mary Tyson, surrounded by loving family.

Born in Winding Gulf, West Virginia, he was the youngest child of Emanuel Amato & Provvidenza Mirasola. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Naomi Gene Reynolds Amato (2008); brothers Joe, Emmanuel and Sam Amato; sisters Madeline Alaimo, Susie Gaziano and Antoinette Gaziano. He is survived by his beloved sister Theresa Amato Della Mea of Beckley, WV.

He is also survived by his children Karen O’Donnell, Prudence Rochelle (George), Mary Tyson (Blair) and Emanuel Amato, all of Durham, NC; and Peter Amato (Kelly Lynn) of Weston, FL. He leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

After graduating from Collins High School in Epperly Hill, WV, he spent one year working in the coal mines of WV before enlisting in the Navy in August of 1940. He attended Aviation Machinist Mate School in Norfolk, VA. During his distinguished career he served aboard the following ships and stations: NAS Miami, FL for Anti-Submarine Patrol; NAS Deland, FL for Link Trainer Instructor; CASU 31; NAS Barber’s Point, Hawaii; Patrol Squadron 26, operating primarily in the Mediterranean and North Africa; NAS Corpus Christi, Texas; USS Monterey; NAAS Saufley Field; VU 10, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and NAS Pensacola, FL.

During his service to our country he was awarded the following medals and awards: Good Conduct Medal with 6 stars, American Defense, American Theatre, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, Victory Medal and Occupation Ribbon with European Clasp.

He capped his career serving as Chief Petty Officer and as the Operations Department Leading Chief and First Lieutenant at NAS Pensacola. After 23 years, he retired from the Navy in December of 1963. He subsequently worked in the Civil Service of the Federal Government as a Machinist at NAS Pensacola, where among other projects; he was involved in the fabrication of lunar landing gear for the Apollo Missions. He retired in 1973.

Residing in Pensacola, his marriage to Naomi Gene Reynolds spanned 55 years before her untimely death. They loved to travel and spent many years visiting sites in the US, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and even traveling to Australia in their later years.

Kelly was known for his intelligence, expansive knowledge, humor, courage and love of family. He is remembered as a son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, husband and friend. He will be terribly missed by those he has left behind, but greeted with joy by those he now joins.

A visitation will be held in Pensacola at Oak Lawn Funeral Home on Thursday evening, Sept. 29, from 6:30-8:30, followed by a public recitation of the Rosary. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at Little Flower Catholic Church on Friday, September 30, at 10:30am, followed by a committal service at Barrancas National Cemetery at 11:45am. Reverend Matthew Wothern will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the National Museum of Naval Aviation at 1750 Radford Blvd., Pensacola, Florida 32508.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Lawn Funeral Home.