15, 2024. He was a loving husband, terrific father, and a very proud pop pop. While we will all miss him
dearly, our family and friends should always think of him fondly and smile when thinking of his long,
full, and wonderful life.
Tony graduated in 1955 from Thomas A. Edison High School in Elizabeth, NJ. After graduation, he
served in the U.S. Naval Reserves for eight years and worked for the Star Ledger. In 1963 he became a
firefighter and joined the Elizabeth Fire Department. While serving with the department he spent many
years on the Rescue Squad, where he was twice awarded the 200 Club of Union County Valor Award
(1973 & 1978). He was also a past president of the FMBA Local #9. He ended his career with the
department in the Fire Prevention Bureau as a Fire Inspector, and he retired in 1997.
Tony also followed his father’s passion for boxing and fought in his first official fight at the age of 16.
He was a Golden Glove State Champion (126 lbs.) and two-time Union County Champion. After
competing, he went on to referee amateur bouts for more than 10 years and in 1981 became a professional Boxing Referee for the State of NJ. As a professional referee for over 20 years he was assigned to many international fights, including bouts in London, Italy, and Thailand. He also refereed numerous World Championship bouts with fighters such as Mike Tyson, Bobby Czyz, Thomas Herns, and Vinny Pazienza.
Tony was involved with the Golden Gloves and very instrumental in assisting with the revival of the
Diamond Gloves and bringing its championship bouts to Linden. After retiring as a referee, he went on to
be appointed to the State Athletic Control Board, where he served as the Chairman up until the time of his
passing. He was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991, and the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019.
As a resident of the City of Linden for over 40 years, Tony contributed to the city in many ways. He was
elected as 5th Ward Councilman and served on Council for several years. He was later appointed as City
License Inspector and concluded his service there as Coordinator of the Linden Office of Emergency
Management (OEM).
Throughout his many different endeavors, Tony enjoyed meeting up for his weekly bowling league. He
also displayed a passion for Softball. Over the years, he played Fast pitch, Slow pitch, and Senior leagues– often on many teams in a season. He loved Softball so much that he played from his youth well into his 70’s. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Andrew’s Council #5088 in Avenel, NJ.
Tony was predeceased by his father Anthony, his mother Lucy, and his sister Dolores Blazejewski. He is
survived by his wife Barbara whom he was married to for 58 years, his son Anthony and his wife Brenda,
his son Mark and ex-wife Michelle, and his grandchildren Dylan, Noah, Madison, Nathaniel, and Logan.
He was a loving brother to his Sister Pauline Young and his brother Michael and his wife Cheryl. He also
leaves behind many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
We will forever carry his memory in our hearts. In Lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the New
Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association Foundation at https://www.njfmba.org/donat
A visitation for Anthony will be held Monday, September 23, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at KROWICKI MCCRACKEN FUNERAL HOME, 2124 East Saint George Ave, Linden, NJ 07036.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a funeral on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 9:00 am from the funeral home. Funeral mass St. Andrew's RC Church, Avenel 10:30 am. Cremation will be private.
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