Anthony J. “Tony” Scalzo, 94, passed away peacefully with his loving sons by his side, on Friday, December 4, 2020, at the Lutheran Home.
Tony was born in Utica, January 16, 1926, a son of the late Anthony and Angeline (Collea) Scalzo. His father passed away at a young age and he was raised by his mother and stepfather, Carl Mancini. He was a graduate of Utica Free Academy. During WWII, Tony served in the US Navy.
On June 14, 1947, he was joined in marriage to the former Teresa “Tootsie” LaPorte. They shared over seventy-one loving years of marriage until his beloved Tootsie passed away on December 21, 2018.
Tony’s work career began at General Electric and he went on to operate the New Lincoln Restaurant on Bleecker Street for over fifteen years. Later, he and his cousin, John Barnaba, operated Valley View Country Club. For a period of time, he was an insurance salesman for Prudential Insurance and began a career at A. Vitullo Inc., where he managed the formal wear department for fifteen years. Always referred to as “AJ”, he meticulously dressed thousands of young men for proms and weddings. Tony eventually retired as a liquor salesman from Service Liquors in 1988. Not one to sit idle, in his retired years, he became a company photographer at Scalzo, Zogby and Wittig, Inc. and much-loved funeral attendant and jack-of-all-trades at the Matt Funeral Home.
Although he had many nicknames, his oldest grandchild, Sheila, gave him the name he was proudest of, “Beepa” as he was known by everyone. Beepa and Tootsie, along with Grandma Murry were an unbelievable team. Their lives revolved around family, and in their home, everyone was treated like royalty, and every meal was like a holiday. The memories of their home will be cherished by all. It is comforting to think of them all reunited. Rest in peace, Beepa.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Anthony J. and Kelly Scalzo, of Fayetteville and Gary D. and Marcia Scalzo, of New Hartford; grandchildren, Michael Scalzo and Victoria Scalzo, Sheila and Brian Rixon, Stacey and Stephen Guido, and Zachary and Kasumi Mori Scalzo; great grandchildren, Jack Rixon, Evan, Addison, Luke and Casey Guido, and Lake Scalzo. Also surviving are brother, Ralph Scalzo, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends including Lucille DeIorio, Georgienne Palmieri, and Florio and Rosemary Vitullo. He was predeceased by a great grandson, Axel Rixon; his brother, Rock Mancini; his in-laws, Emmanuel and Mary LaPorte; and lifelong friend, Francis Palmieri.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, December 10th at 10:00 am. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Services will be live streamed on https://www.youtube.com/c/JoeSalernoOLOL Private entombment will be in Calvary Mausoleum. The church is at limited capacity and we ask that you arrive a little earlier to expedite signing in for Covid tracing. Masks covering your nose and mouth and social distancing will be required. During these socially trying times, reaching out to the family on our website is of great comfort to them.
In memory of Anthony Scalzo, please consider your own favorite charity.
The family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to his goddaughter, Debbie Brockway and the staff of the Valley Crest Unit of Lutheran Care for the loving attention shown to Anthony during his stay there.
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