Nassau homicide detectives are investigating what they say is an apparent murder-suicide after they found an elderly couple dead in their home in Uniondale Saturday.

Eugene Perricone, who lived near the couple on Pemaco Lane for 44 years, remembered them fondly. He said the husband was an ex-NYPD sergeant.

Neighbors said Vincenza and Joseph Pitonzo, both 85, had suffered through lengthy illnesses that left them unable to leave their home. Perricone said the couple used to spend a lot of time outside every summer until they became ill.

AP wire reports contributed to this article.