Anthony (Tony) DeFusco of Methuen, MA, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at Methuen Village Assisted Living, at the age of 101.

Tony was born raised in Lawrence, MA.  A proud member of the USMC and Purple Heart recipient, Tony fought in the Marshall Islands with the 4th Marine Division during WWII.  One of his fondest memories was revisiting the former battlegrounds with fellow servicemen and women in 2006.

After the war Tony married Irene (Pilch) and got a job as a postal clerk in Lawrence, where he worked for 35 years. He moved his young family to Methuen in 1958. Tony loved golf, traveling, playing the slots at Foxwoods, and most of all spending time with family and friends.

Tony's 100 ^th birthday at Methuen Village last November was celebrated with family and friends and included a visit by Mayor Perry, who presented him with a box of his beloved cigars, as well as officers from the Methuen Police and Fire departments and a Marine in dress whites bearing his birthday cake.

Tony was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Irene (Pilch), and his partner and best friend later in life, Pauline Buckley, as well as his daughter, Joyce Hersey.  He leaves his sons, Steven DeFusco and his partner, Susan Edelmann, of Windham, NH, and Thomas DeFusco and his wife, Patti McCarron, of Pelham, NH.

He was the cherished grandfather of Philip Hersey and the late David Hersey, Jared and Matt DeFusco; Brandon, Nick, and Brenna Hersey, Ashley and Michael Caruso-DeFusco; great grandfather of Jezire Brown. He also leaves his best friend and lunch partner, Dalis DeParis of Methuen, MA.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday December 12, 2022 at St. Theresa of Good Counsel Parish. Committal with Military Honors will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tony's memory to either Care Dimensions https://www.caredimensions.org/ or Salem Animal Rescue League https://www.sarlnh.org .

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home.  A guest book is available at www.shaw-majercik.com where you may offer condolences, share fond memories, or light a candle in remembrance of Tony.