A Nutley native who served and died in World War II was finally honored with his funeral Tuesday after 79 years.

Anthony Di Petta was a gunner on a Navy bomber when his plane was shot down in the Pacific in 1944. His remains were only found two years ago, and he was finally identified in January.

"We're just thrilled to have Tony come home and so appreciative of everything everyone has done to make this celebration of his life so very wonderful,” said Suzanne Nakamura, Di Petta’s niece.

Part of the ceremonies for Di Petta included a procession through town and police escorting his hearse.

Di Petta enlisted in the Navy in 1939 after attending Nutley High School.