November 6, 1918 (New York, NY) – April 18, 1945; 26 years old
Married Barbara Bogart Abruscato (1924-2014) on October 31, 1942 in Norwalk
After Pvt Abruscato’s death, Barbara married his brother Nicholas Abruscato on February 22, 1947.
One daughter Michele “Micky” (1944-).
Last local address: 12 Byington Place, Norwalk
Enlisted on May 6, 1944
Service number: 31466669
Unit: 34th Infantry Division, 168th Infantry Regiment
Born to Giuseppe “Joseph” (1872-1953) and Giuseppa “Josephine” Bonadonna Abruscato (1880-1955), both born in Italy. Five brothers: Frank (1901-1980), Samuel (1904-1989), Nicholas (1910-1996), Joseph Jr. (1913-2002), and Charles (1915-2005). Three sisters, Matilda Abruscato Germano (1906-1983), Mary Abruscato De Pumpa (1907-1985), and Dorothy Abruscato Coppola (1921-2023).
Awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Same unit as Norwalk native Private Eugene Brown who was killed in Italy during the invasion of Rome on May 29, 1944 and is interred in Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.



From The Norwalk Hour May 2, 1945
PVT ABRUSCATO KILLED IN ACTION
Byington Place Youth Was in Italy; Would Have Entered OCS School In 2 Weeks
Private Michael P. Abruscato, 26, husband of Mrs. Barbara Bogart Abruscato of 12 Byington Place, was killed in action in Italy on April 18, official notice of his death having been received on Monday. Private Abruscato, in service since May 1944, trained at Camp Blanding, Florida, and went overseas in November, serving with the 64th Division. In civilian life, he was with the Remington Arms Company in Bridgeport. Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter Michele (Micky) nine-months old, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Abruscato of 13 Donovan Street; five brothers: Nicholas, a discharged veteran of World War 2; Sergeant Charles in Germany; PFC Joseph Jr. in Luzon; Samuel and Frank of this city, and three sisters. Mrs. Dorothy Coppola, Mrs. Matilda Germano of this city; and Mrs. Mary DePumpa of Springdale. Private Abruscato wrote his wife on April 10 that in about two weeks he was to enter an OCS (Officer Candidate School) in Italy.
Memorial marker in St. John’s Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; Section B1. Photo by webmaster.

Private Abruscato is buried in Florence American Cemetery; Plot H, Row 5, Grave 27.

END
My mom Dorothy Abruscato Coppola is 99 1/2 years old and still talks about how much misses her brother Mikey. They were so close as children and his death in ww11 was something she never got over. I was named after my uncle Mike whom I never had the chance to meet.
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Thank you for sharing that story. I saw her at a Purple Heart event a week ago. I can’t imagine the pain of an unexpected loss like that.
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