Anthony Valerio Cervone

Anthony Cervone, a long-time resident of Winter Park, Florida passed peacefully on December 10, 2024, just 2 months shy of his 87th birthday. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy (Newstreet) and his son Tony who lives currently in Miami Beach, Florida. He also was blessed with three loving grandchildren, Owen, Julian, and Anthony. He was predeceased by his daughter Jennifer who resided in Coral Gables, Florida.

Anthony was born in Giovinazzo, in the region of Puglia, Italy, to Vito Cervone and Elena Palmiotto. He immigrated to the United States in 1953 and for a time settled in Mount Vernon, New York. Shortly thereafter he attended and graduated from Iona College which was a springboard to his post graduate work done at St. Louis University in Missouri, where he earned a PhD. There he met is wife Nancy, also attending St. Louis University and they married in Florida in 1963 where Nancy’s parents had retired. As fortune designed, his career also led him to Florida, first for a short experience at USF in Tampa, but quickly thereafter to Orlando where he enjoyed a 35+ year career as a full professor in the language department at the University of Central Florida. A born teacher, he was most comfortable in the classroom. So great was his love of teaching, he also continued tutoring students up until his passing.

He and Nancy’s love of travel and the arts were hallmark. Together, they enjoyed opera and symphonies and were regular attendees and supporters of the annual Bach Festival and the Orlando Symphony. Anthony had a passion for cultural exchange and was pioneering in his career. Amongst his greatest accomplishments and pleasures was founding and operating the summer study abroad program in conjunction with State University of New York at New Palz. The program allowed him to spend summers teaching in Urbino, Italy throughout his entire career. Fortunate as he was in that regard, the thing he cherished most was his family. The only place he loved more than the classroom was the family dinner table which was always the central gathering place for laughter and spirited discussion. His intellect and devotion will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, December 15, 2024 at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home in Winter Park, Florida.