June 13, 1918 (Stratford, CT) – April 17, 2017 (Prior Lake, MN); 98 years old
Married to Mary Rose Depanfilis (1916-?) on January 15, 1944 in Norwalk, CT
One daughter Maryanne, and one son Thomas
Last local address: 19 Hillside, South Norwalk and 15 Thistle Road, Norwalk
Enlisted on May 6, 1944
Serial number 31466657
42ND INFANTRY DIVISION, 223RD INFANTRY REGIMENT
Last name also spelled “Garguilo” in some sources such as military records.
Held in German POW camp Stalag 5A Malschbach Ludwigsburg Wurtemberg 49-09.
From unknown newspaper. Provided by son, Tom Gargiulo.
PFC THOS. GARGUILO
PRISONER, LIBERATED
Mrs. Marie DePanfilis Garguilo of 21 Fairfield Avenue, who husband, Private First Class Thomas Garguilo was officially reported as a prisoner of war since January 18, 1945, has been liberated according to a letter she received from him yesterday. Private First Class Garguilo writes that he is in good health and hops to be home soon on furlough. He wen into the service on May 6, 1944 and has been overseas since November 1944. Private First Class Garguilo is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Garguilo Sr., of Bridgeport.
From The Norwalk Hour August 1, 1945
Lake Placid Club, New York – Private First Class Thomas J. Garguilo of 21 Fairfield Avenue, South Norwalk, Connecticut, who recently returned from overseas duty, has reported to the Army Ground and Service Forces Redistribution Station at Lake Placid Club, New York. Private First Class Garguilo entered the service on May 6, 1944 and was overseas six months with an infantry unit in the European theatre of operation. He is accompanied here by his wife.
Obituary from an unknown newspaper
Tom died at his daughter, Maryanne Running’s, Prior Lake, Minnesota home after listening to his beloved NY Yankees win their 8th straight game. Tom was the middle child of 11 siblings, all of whom predeceased him. He was decorated for distinguished service in WWII, surviving both the Battle of the Bulge and POW internment in Germany. Tom left school early to help support his family. His career began building Corsairs at Sikorsky Aircraft where he witnessed Igor Sikorsky’s test flight of the first helicopter prototypes. Post-war studies led to a career as a master mechanic and a love of woodworking at home. He is survived by Mary, his loving wife of 73 years, daughter Maryanne Running and her husband Darcy, son Tom Gargiulo, and grandchildren, Christin Tackett and her husband Duane, Meghan and Drew Running.
Buried in St. John’s Cemetery, Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT; unknown plot number
Picture not available
Honor Norwalk CT veterans 