Anthony Tozzi

Anthony F. Tozzi, 99, a resident of Yonkers for over 50 years and a member of Christ the King parish in Yonkers. He died peacefully at Andrus on Hudson Home in Hastings on November 12, 2015. His son Eugene and daughter-in-law, Suellen, were at his side.

Tony was born born April 20, 1916 in the Bronx, NY to Eugenio and Antoinette (Nettie Carnevale). He was raised in the Bronx where he attended public schools. With the guidance of other family members he found work in the manufacture of inexpensive jewelry, ending his career as a skilled artisan who hand crafted original models of pieces to be cast. His work life was interrupted by World War II. He enlisted in the Army and served with the Third Division with landings in Africa, Sicily and Italy. He suffered shrapnel wounds from an incoming shell and was returned home for recuperation until his discharge at the end of the war.

After retirement he became active in the Yonkers Chapter 16 of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). He served in various offices, including as commander (1989-1990). He was a leader in a committee that worked to erect a Disabled American Veterans Memorial which stands in front of the flag pole at the front entrance of the Yonkers public library on Central Avenue. With the DAV he also participated in regular visits to disabled veterans living at the veterans hospital in Montrose, NY. The members also remember him for the spaghetti and meatball dinners he prepared to encourage attendance at their monthly meetings.

In 2009, a year after being widowed, he had a stay for rehabilitation at Andrus on Hudson Home in Hastings. He decided to remain at Andrus as a permanent resident, and prospered there for many years. In 2013, the late Ursuline Sr. Irene Mahoney, O.S.U. also became a resident at Andrus where a number of sisters of her religious community reside. Sr. Irene had a long career as a teacher at the College of New Rochelle and was the author of 13 books. Sr. Irene and Tony became tablemates in the dining room. As she listened to his stories of growing up in the Bronx and the war, she decided to write a short book about his life. In spite of failing eyesight, Sr. Irene was able to complete the work, It’s a Beautiful Day: The Lifetime Journey of Anthony Tozzi. It was published in October 2014, just six months before Sr. Irene’s death.

Tony is survived by his son Eugene and daughter-in-law Suellen (Koelsch) of New Rochelle, grandchildren Mark, married to Karen (Baker) of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, and John of Queens, and his brother Frank and sister-in-law Annette of Mendham, NJ, and sister-in-law Nancy Ruchala of Palm Harbor, FL along with many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret (Larocca) and his brothers John and Bernard. He and Margaret also had a daughter, Joanne, who died in infancy.

Visitation will take place Sunday, November 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM at Whalen and Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10703. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 16 at 10:00 AM at Christ the King Church, 740 North Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701. Interment will follow at St. Raymond Cemetery in the Bronx.

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Avenue

Yonkers, New York 10703

www.whalenandballfh.com