FARMINGTON – Antonio “Tony” Luciano, 85, a longtime resident of Gagnon Street in Livermore Falls, died suddenly Saturday, July 17, at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Chisholm, on Sept. 23, 1918, the son of Sabatino and Dominica Orsini Luciano. He was educated at St. Rose of Lima School and graduated from Livermore Falls High School, class of 1936.

On July 27, 1946, he married Jean Burbank at St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay. They were married 58 years. “Tony” served during World War II in the Army as a Tech. Sgt. in the 38th Infantry, Cyclone Division. He saw duty in the battles of Bataan, Leyte, Corrigidor, and New Guinea.

He was employed at International Paper Co. for 47 years, first at the Otis Mill, then transferred to the Androscoggin Mill. He worked in the finishing department and later was a paper inspector.

During his high school years he excelled in sports, especially baseball, and was a member of the 1936 State Championship team. He later played for many town teams throughout the area, traveling New England wherever their next game would be. Baseball was a passion for him.

He also coached Little League Baseball. In 1999, Livermore Falls High School again won the State Baseball Championship, the first since 1936, and he was the guest speaker at the banquet.

He loved his time with his grandchildren and enjoyed dancing, traveling by car and occasionally on bus tours. He liked doing jigsaw puzzles and sorting out jumble crosswords, sometimes finding mistakes in the puzzle and bringing it to the attention of the publisher.

He bowled for years in the Tri Town Bowling League. He was a communicate of St. Rose of Lima Church, a life member of the V.F.W. Post 3335 in Jay, Jay- Livermore Falls Senior Citizens, and International Paper Co. Quarter Century Club.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jean, of Livermore Falls; one daughter and her husband, Linda and Don Leclerc, of Jay; one son and his wife, Michael and Sue Luciano, of Jay; two sisters and their husbands, Elvina and James Miller of Livermore Falls, Mae and Harold Bucklin, of Jay; four grandchildren, Kristen Leclerc, of Gorham, Katie Saunders and husband West, of Jay, Scott Luciano, of Hampden, and Bryan Luciano, of Jay; two great-grandchildren, Nicholas Cerullo and Rylee Kate Saunders.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Nick Luciano in 1985, and John Luciano in 1999; a great-grandson, Anthony Jordan ( A.J.) Saunders; and four nephews, Jimmy and Ronnie Luciano, Peter and Paul Miller.