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SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y. - John R. Morabito, a longtime resident of Sleepy Hollow, died Jan. 11 at the age of 87.
Morabito was former chief of the Fire Department of North Tarrytown. He was also a decorated war veteran and former executive at Dime Savings Bank.
He was born in North Tarrytown on Oct. 25, 1924 to Joseph A. and Carmella Marcellino Morabito. He was raised in North Tarrytown, graduating from North Tarrytown High School in 1943. Morabito began his career in banking at the County Trust Bank in Tarrytown and ultimately retired as senior vice president of Dime Savings Bank.
Spending most of his life North Tarrytown, which in 1996 was renamed Sleepy Hollow, Morabito participated in many local organizations. He was a member of the zoning board in North Tarrytown for six years, served as commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1939 and of the American Legion.
A licensed real estate broker and notary public, he was past president of the Westchester County Real Estate Appraisers. He also held memberships to the Fraternal Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree.
His greatest passion though, was serving as a life active member of the Rescue Hose Company 1, Engine 85. Morabito served in every office in the Fire Department of North Tarrytown, including chief.
Morabito served in the U.S. Navy during World War II for three years as a radio man. Participating in the invasion of Iwo Jima, he was awarded with several awards including the American Defense Service Medal, Foreign Service Medal Two Stars, World War II Victory Medal and National Defense Service Medal. His name appears in the Navy log at the Navy Museum in Washington, D.C.
His favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing and crabbing and he enjoyed sharing these activities with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Morabito most recently resided in Florida during his retirement.
He is survived by his daughters Patricia (Michael) Rooney, Janet (Gregory) Egan and Donna Morabito, his brother Tony Morabito, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Anna on Dec. 15, 2006, six sisters and three brothers.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m., at St. Teresa of Avila Church, followed by interment at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were made by Coffey Funeral Home in Tarrytown.
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