Beloved father, veteran killed in SW Phila.

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA - December 11, 2007 It happened at 58th and Lindberg Boulevard, and this time the victim was a 60-year-old man; a man who survived war, but couldn't survive this.

His family says Anthony D'Antonio would have given a stranger the shirt off his back. He dedicated the first part of his adult life to his country, serving in Vietnam. He then returned to dedicate his life to his family. Now his wife, three children, and three grandchildren must spend this Christmas and every Christmas from now on without him.

"He fought for his country thirty years ago in Vietnam and some scumbag takes his life today in Southwest Philly it just doesn't make sense," said D'Antonio's son David.

David clutched the murdered 60-year-old's pictures and his metals from service in Vietnam. He also clutched to the memories of his daily conversations with his father, he called a decent and genuine man.

D'Antonio sold used furniture and knick-naks in Southwest Philadelphia - a job he enjoyed because it allowed him to be around people. David tells us, "He did it to make some money but he knew that everyone needed something and if they could get it from him, even better. Because then he could make a friend."

But Tuesday afternoon all of that would end. Investigators say D'Antonio was found slumped in a chair with a gunshot wound to the head.

Neighbor Dolores McCloskey said, "I saw him laying there and I thought they were going to revive him but then they told me he was gone."

"Every once and a while someone would come around and give him a hard time and rather then fight he would do whatever. He would give it to them. He wouldn't put up a fight - he didn't care. He was a good man," said his daughter-in-law Lisa McKannan.

Police do not have any suspects at this time or a motive.

David D'Antonio says, "I want to know what happened those last few minutes of my fathers life. I want to know what went through his head and what went through that sick person's head. Who pointed the gun at my father's face, pulled the trigger, and ended his life? And I hope they're watching and they turn themselves in."

Detectives told Action News that while they were investigating the case Tuesday night, someone stole the Christmas tree from the victim's store.

If you have any information call police immediately.