Flemington, NJ—Anthony J. Kozacko, age 96, passed away at the Veterans Administration Medical Center Nursing Home in Lyons, NJ on February 11, 2018.

Anthony was born and raised in Bayonne, NJ. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and was assigned to the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps, attaining the rank of Pharmacist's Mate 3 ^rd Class. He was transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps as a Corpsman assigned to the 5 ^th Marine Division Amphibious Force. Anthony was a part of Operation Olympic, the invasion of Kyushu Island, Japan, scheduled for November 1945 which was cancelled due to the surrender of Japan in August 1945. The 5 ^th Marine Amphibious Force executed a combat assault landing and secured the Japanese Naval Base at Sasebo on Kyushu in September 1945 and became part of the U.S. occupation force offering humanitarian assistance to the survivors and casualties of the atomic blast at Nagasaki.

Anthony maintained his health through swimming. He also enjoyed camping and reading the newspaper to keep up with current events, his favorite topic of discussion.

Anthony was predeceased by his wife, Jean; his sons, Anthony and John; as well as his grandson, Alexander. Anthony is survived by his children; Carolyn, Maryann, Joseph, Joan and Christine. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to attend viewings on Tuesday, February 20, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 724 Route 202 North, Three Bridges, NJ 08887. A funeral mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church at 12:00, followed by interment at Washington Crossing Cemetery in Newtown, PA.