Funeral services were held Oct. 15 for Anselm “Pete” J. Avignone, 85 years old, a resident of Wappingers Falls, N.Y. He died at home Oct, 11 surrounded by his family. He was born in Union City, and was the son of the late Peter and Isabella Pasqual Avignone. Anselm attended a one-room schoolhouse in Gay Head school district in Hopewell Junction and then graduated from Emerson High School in New Jersey. As a young man, he was a semi-professional drummer, playing in New York City and New Jersey. He loved big band music. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines and then was drafted by the US Army during World War II, stationed in Hawaii. He married Stephanie C. Gichan at the Immaculate Conception Church in Secaucus. They were married for 61 years before Mrs. Avignone predeceased him on May 9, 2010. Prior to moving to Wappingers Falls in 1969 to further raise his family, Anselm and his family lived in Secaucus, then Flemington. He worked in New York City as a Local 780 cement finisher and worked on the United Nations and Madison Square Garden before moving to Wappingers Falls, where he became a member of BAC Local 5. He attended Dutchess Community College and Newark College of Engineering. Alongside his wife, he co-founded Poughkeepsie Concrete where he was the supervisor and chief estimator and supervised numerous construction projects throughout the Hudson Valley.
Anselm is survived by his children, John M. Avignone of Wappingers Falls, Steven P. Avignone of Wappingers Falls and Joan M. Avignone Smith and her husband, Russell, of Hopewell Junction; five grandchildren, Monica Avignone, Kristen Avignone, Russell Smith, Jenavieve Smith and Arthur Busick; his brother-in-law, Lawrence Gichan of NJ; nieces and nephews, Donna Neralich, Carol Floriani, Gregory Gichan, Alex Gichan, Patricia Maginsky, Larry Gichan and Michelle Reyes and several grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Ada Trainor. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Doug and Donna Neralich and Carol Floriani for their love and support during Dad’s illness. Also a special thank you to Hospice of Dutchess County for their support and assistance. Services arranged by the Robert H, Auchmoody Funeral Home.