Anatole Gregory Babykin Sr.

Anatole Gregory Babykin, Sr.
of Apalachin
A memorial service will be held December 30th at 2:30 p.m. at Saints Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, 210 Hill Ave., Endicott, NY 13760 for Anatole (Tony) Gregory Babykin, Sr. The family will receive friends at the church at 2 p.m. before the service.
Greg was born in Turkey on November 28th, 1922 as his parents, Gregory J. and Tatiana Babykin, were waiting to immigrate into the United States after leaving Russia. Major Babykin enlisted in the Army the day after Pearl Harbor, and served his country during WWII as a bombardier and navigator in the 7th USAAF, 26th Bomber Squadron, 11th Heavy Bomber Group, flying missions in the Pacific Theatre aboard the B-24 Liberator "Jeeter Bug." One mission was the basis for a documentary in which the battle for Iwo Jima was literally put on hold to allow their wounded plane to land on the recently seized Japanese runway. The crew spent three days fixing their aircraft in the midst of the battle for the island. Greg received the Distinguished Flying Cross among other awards. "Tony" was called back to duty during the Korean War, and later served in the Army National Guard for a military service of approximately 30 years. Upon release from active duty in November 1945, Greg returned to Duke University and received his degree in electro-mechanical engineering. He came to Apalachin, NY, to work for General Electric, Singer-Link, and NASA as an engineer before working in various government program management positions on the Apollo, AWACS and various war fighter systems.
Greg passed away Monday, November 23rd at Binghamton General Hospital. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Edna; his daughter, Gayle of Apalachin; and two sons, Gregory Jr. (Melissa) of Georgia, and Gary (Michelle) of Nevada; four granddaughters, Anastacia, Ashley, Adriane and Avery. He is also survived by a brother, Gregory V. Babykin; and a sister, Julianna McAllister; and many nieces and nephews.
The family asks that if you desire to make a memorial donation in memory of Greg, please send them to either his church, or the Apalachin Fire Department EMTs, 230 Pennsylvania Ave., Apalachin, NY 13732 (607) 625-2216.