Dozens Honor Late WWII Veteran During Street Renaming Ceremony

EAST PATCHOGUE, NY - A special street renaming ceremony was recently held to celebrate a local veteran in East Patchogue. On Nov. 2, officials as well as friends and family of the late PFC Anton A. "Tony" Bugala USMC gathered to dedicate a portion of North Dunton Avenue in his honor.

Supervisor Ed Romaine, Councilman Neil Foley, Councilman Michael Loguercio, Receiver of Taxes Lou Marcoccia, other State and County officials and members of veteran groups attended the event at the corner of North Dunton Avenue and Irving Avenue.

The day included a moving, personal and historical recounting of Bugala’s short, but heroic life. As a member of Echo Company, 1st Marine Raider Battalion during World War II, he gave his life at just 21-years-old fighting for this nation. He died on September 14, 1942 at the battle of Edson’s Ridge on the Island of Guadalcanal.

Bugala enlisted while living on a farm in East Patchogue directly across from what is now the Verne W. Critz Elementary School.

The Town of Brookhaven, South Bay VFW Post 8300, Hagerman Fire Department and South Country Ambulance Company all helped make the day possible.