Anthony Prudente, 81, won Bronze Star

ANTHONY VINCENT Prudente met his wife, the former Florence T. Schwichow, at the old Baldwin Locomotive Works in Essington, where both were employed.

Tony was a decorated Army veteran of World War II, back home from Germany and looking to make his mark in the civilian world. He and his wife put together $500 to start an electrical contracting business that grew into one of the region's busiest construction companies.

"It was hard work," Florence said. "We worked very hard for what we got."

Tony Prudente died Thursday of a rare neurological disorder. He was 81 and lived in Upper Providence, Delaware County.

From electrical contracting, the company branched out into homebuilding, and the quality of his homes and apartments earned him the title among colleagues as a "builder's builder."

He was born in Southwest Philadelphia to Florence and Rafael Prudente. He graduated from John Bartram High School and entered the Army in 1944.

He was a member of the 42nd Infantry (Rainbow) Division, which had the distinction of liberating the Dachau concentration camp in Germany.

Tony also had the honor of serving in the guard of honor at the funeral of Gen. George S. Patton in Germany in 1945. Patton died on Dec. 21, 1945, from injuries in a traffic accident.

Tony won the Bronze Star and other decorations.

After the war, he remained in Germany, where he played football for an Army team. After returning home, he played semi-pro football for a time.

He was a former president of the Delaware County Electrical Contractors Association and was a former member of the Rolling Green Country Club.

Tony and his wife traveled extensively, from the Azores through most of Europe as well as cruises to the Caribbean, where they liked to visit St. Bart's.

A former resident of Marple, Delaware County, Tony enjoyed gardening and collecting fine Italian wines. He also enjoyed get-togethers with family and friends at his second home in Avalon, N.J., where he liked to go crabbing.

"He was a good, hard-working man," his wife summed up.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Jay V. Prudente; three daughters, Gloria A. Spatacco, Lynn J. Prudente and Judy M. Schnee; two sisters, Lonnie Pron and Florence "Doll" O'Donnell; and three grandchildren.

Services: 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at the D'Anjolell Memorial Home of Broomall, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall. Friends may call at 12:30 p.m. Interment will be private.

Donations may be made to Samaritans at Last, 42 State St., Media, PA 19063, or St. Mary Magdalen Chuch, c/o Father Ralph Chieffo, 2400 N. Providence Rd., Media, PA 19063. *