United States Marine Corps
WWII
Philip C. Canfora, 82, a native of New Castle, Pa., near Pittsburgh, and resident of Ocean Pines, remains a proud Marine 62 years after being discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps. He enlisted when he was a teenager, wanting to serve his country during World War II. When he left for the Marine Corps, he bid farewell to his father and mother, five younger siblings and girlfriend Tina Vendemia, who he met when she was hired as secretary for his family business, Bordonaro & Canfora Produce.
Much of his service was spent aboard the USS Alaska, and he cherishes photographs of the ship, on which he had the job of cook. Mr. Canfora continues to entertain family and friends, especially at holiday gatherings, with stories about his military service, a time of war aboard the ship, tough treatment by officers intent on making boys into men and antics with his buddy Rusty, short for his last name, Ruskowski.
A Marine Corps doll that he sent home, carefully preserved by his wife of 62 years, was lovingly passed on to his youngest daughter.
Mr. Canfora is known in the Ocean Pines area as the man who works in the paint department at Wal-Mart in Berlin three days every week. A lifelong businessman in the produce business, he is also a woodworking craftsman who has created and painted bookcases, cabinets, benches and decorative items for family and friends. He also enjoys watching movies and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Tina, have two daughters, MaryAnn of New Jersey, and Susan of Ocean Pines.