Phil T. Taranto

Felice "Phil" T. Taranto, 71, of Linden, NC, passed away in his residence on Sunday, January 13, 2019.

The younger of two children, Phil was born in Brooklyn, NY to Giuseppe (Joseph) and Elena (Helen) Taranto. Phil was a graduate of the New York School of Printing, now known as the High School of Graphic Communication Arts. He studied at Brooklyn College prior to enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1966 in advance of being drafted.

Phil joined the service as a reprographics specialist and later cross-trained to be a loadmaster in 1969, the same year he married his wife Linda. In 1972 he deployed to CCK Taiwan where he served one tour in support of combat operations in Vietnam. He then returned to Pope AFB in 1973 where he rose to the rank of E7/Master Sargeant. Phil retired honorably in 1991 having served as a loadmaster with multiple units, including the 39th Tactical Airlift Squadron (1973-1977), the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing (1973-1991) and a special unit attached to the 41st Tactical Airlift Squadron (1982-1991).

While at Pope AFB and with a constant desire to learn, Phil became a member of the Fort Bragg Flying Club and earned his multi-engine private pilot license and IFR qualification.

Following his retirement from active duty, Phil worked as a contractor for the U.S. Army training combat commanders with real-time battle simulations. He retired from Battle Simulation Center in Fort Bragg, NC in 2011.

Phil began volunteering with Westarea Fire Department in 1996 and, through hard work, was promoted to Lieutenant in 2001 and to Captain in 2006. He performed duties as the Assistant Fire Chief of Westarea Fire Department from 2011 to 2017. Phil was qualified as an EMT-Basic through the Office of Emergency Medical Services and served as a firefighter, EMT and driver operator.

Phil was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 1081, the American Legion Post 230 in Spring Lake, and the Filicudi St. Stephen Society of Waltham, Massachusetts.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Linda Taranto, their son, Joseph Taranto (Jody nee Kearns), their daughter, Jennifer Taranto (Tommy Vitolo), his four grandchildren, Samantha Taranto, Christopher Taranto, Felice Vitolo and Angelina Vitolo and sister, Marion DeGennaro.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019 in the chapel of Adcock Funeral Home in Spring Lake with Father Jack Kelly officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. The family will also receive friends on Thursday, January 17, 2019 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Phil's honor to the Linden Fireman's Association and the Carver's Creek Fireman's Association. Please make checks payable to Westarea Fire Department, 8716 East Reeves Bridge Road, Linden, NC 28356. Please annotate the check with "Donation in the name of Phil Taranto" so that the donation can be properly distributed.