RUMFORD – Anthony J. Puiia, 100, died Sunday, June 11, at the Rumford Hospital. He was a resident of Main Street in Mexico.

Born in Rumford on November 23, 1916, he was a son of Joseph and Jiovania (Vallone) Puiia and graduated from Stephens High School, Class of 1936. Anthony served his country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II, having fought in the battles and campaigns in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples, and central Europe. He worked in the shipping department for Boise Cascade Paper Mill in Rumford until his retirement.

Anthony was a communicant of the Parish of The Holy Savior St. Athanasius-St. John Church; he was a 70-year member of Napoleon Ouellette Post American Legion; a 50-year member of Robert Shand Post 1641, VFW; member of Rumford Maine Lodge 862 BPOE. He also enjoyed gardening, wood-working and was an avid sports fan. In his junior year of high school he was named the state’s top hoop player and was chosen outstanding basketball player in the state for 1935 by the sports editor of the Portland Sunday Telegram. He was the first player from Rumford to receive this honor. In his later years, he enjoyed attending sporting event that his grandchildren had participated in and in recent years enjoyed hearing about his great-grandchildren’s activities.

Anthony was married in Rumford on June 18, 1957, to Catherine Myles, who died in 1981.

Survivors include two daughters, Jane Gaudette and her husband, Jeff, of Mexico, and Sally Puiia of Mexico; two grandchildren, Robert Gaudette and his wife, Crystal, of Mexico, and Kristen Sengel and her husband, Bill, of Parsonsfield; and three great-grandchildren, Owen and Brooklyn Gaudette and Ethan McAtee.

He was predeceased by his wife; and seven brothers, Carmelo, Eugene, Joseph, Dominic, Santo, Frank and Vito.

Friends and family are invited sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.

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