LITTLE FALLS - Mr. Patsy J. Vennera, World War II, United States Army Veteran, passed away on Wednesday August 19, 2015 in Herkimer, NY. He celebrated his 100th birthday this year with family and friends at the Folts Homes in Herkimer. A special thank you is offered to the facility with mention of Homelife at Folts. As a tribute to his special birthday Patsy was quoted as saying "I feel pretty good," before taking out his harmonica and playing different tunes including "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Born March 1, 1915 in Herkimer, son to the late Vincenzo and Concetta (Viali) Vennera, Patsy grew up in Herkimer and married Clara Vespasiano (Vespi) of Little Falls on October 8, 1945 at St. Joseph's Church. Following their marriage the couple settled in Little Falls. Clara passed away on May 21, 2011. He had three brothers, John, Frank, and Prosper, all of whom are deceased. He served in the United States Army during World War II from 1941 until 1943 in the 5th Medical Battalion as a bugler and technician. He worked for Standard Desk in Herkimer as a master woodworker and builder and designer of custom desks, bookcases, and furniture, having even worked on a desk for President Roosevelt. He also served with the Little Falls Call Fireman and is a life member of the American Legion Post in Herkimer since 1944. Patsy's request has been honored as he will lie in state in his Call Fireman Uniform. Patsy was an accomplished tennis player and played the bugle in Blackhawks Drum and Bugle Corps for American Legion Post No. 22 in Utica and had a business restringing tennis racquets, sharpening wood saws, building and repairing furniture and carving wood ducks. He later went on to work with the New York State Thruway Authority at Indian Castle in the maintenance division. He was known for playing his harmonica and serenading the residents at Folts Homes. He was a member of the Holy Family Parish. Patsy is survived by many nieces and nephews. His funeral and burial arrangements have been planned with The Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 West Monroe Street in Little Falls, NY. Funeral Directors Harry J. & Kevin E. Enea (315) 823-2424. Funeral services will be held on Saturday August 22, 2015 at 10:00 AM at The Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 West Monroe Street in Little Falls and at 10:30 AM at the Holy Family Parish, corner of East Main & John Streets in Little Falls where a Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated by the Rev. Terence Healy, assisted by Deacon James Bower. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, town of Herkimer, with full military honors.