Anthony Colombo

Anthony Joseph Colombo died peacefully in Mesa, Arizona, on February 16, 2022. Tony was predeceased by Audrey, his wife of 68 years, and his daughter Sandra. He is survived by his sons Ray and Paul, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Tony was born the youngest of seven children in Geneva, New York, and moved with his family to North Tonawanda, where he graduated from High School in 1946. In addition to working at Durez Plastics and Chemical Company for 33 years, Tony was a musician who played saxophones, clarinet, and flute, and performed professionally from the time he went on the road at seventeen, until a few months before his death at the age of 93. He performed in the pit orchestra at Melody Fair in musicals including Carousel, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, and Porgy and Bess, as well as for entertainers and recording artists such as Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis, Liberace, Phyllis Diller, and many others. After retiring from Durez, Tony and Audrey moved to Mesa, Arizona, to be near Sandy and Ray, where they became members of Velda Rose United Methodist Church. For many years, they enjoyed annual road trips to summer with family and friends in New York. Family and music were always at the center of Tony’s life. He loved music from the Big Band era, and performed in many orchestras and dance bands in Western New York and Arizona. Tony had a spring in his step, and often whistled a tune. He enjoyed games, which he usually won, and wordplay. A favorite twist on a song title was, “I Love You, for Seven Mental Reasons.” Tony, we love you for many, many more!