Anthony Visconti

Tony was born in the Bronx, NY, to Paul Visconti and Magdalena (Dequino). He was a graduate of William Howard Taft High School. Tony enjoyed sharing stories of happy memories playing stickball in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. When he wasn’t playing, he worked in construction with his father and his four older brothers.

During World War II, Tony’s brothers enlisted in the armed forces. Although underage, Tony wanted to serve his country, too. Without telling his parents, Tony enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, at the age of 17. He completed boot camp at Parris Island, SC, and basic training at Quantico, VA. He then moved to Camp Pendleton, CA, where he was assigned to the 5th Marine Division, 13th Regiment as an artillery specialist. In February 1945, Tony participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima. On Feb. 23rd, as the American flag was being raised atop Mt. Suribachi, Tony’s Colonel ordered him up the mountain. He zig-zagged across an airfield, avoiding sniper fire and landmines, made it to the foot of the mountain, and started to climb. Once at the top, he set up his equipment and began coordinating target distances for the fire direction center. After enduring a day-long mortar shelling, the Marines were ordered down from the mountain, except for Tony and his radio man, who spent the night on rocky terrain near the edge of the volcanic crater, guarding the American flag. After the battle, the 5th Marines returned to Hawaii to train for the invasion of Japan. In October 1945, Tony was transferred to the 2nd Division. He managed a recreation division in Nagasaki, Japan, during the occupation, before being discharged at the rank of corporal, in 1946.

While in the service, Tony had played first base on the Marines traveling baseball team. During an exhibition game with the San Diego Padres, he tore ligaments in his knee sliding into second base. His leg was in a cast for six months. When he returned to New York after the war, Tony—a power-hitting lefty—tried out for the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds and for the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium. Although he knocked a home run at the Polo Grounds, the Pirates organization offered the contract. Tony declined. His heart had other plans.

As a young man, Tony prayed for a blonde-haired, blue-eyed German girl to be his sweetheart. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he and his friends would drive to Los Angeles to attend Big Band dances at the Hollywood Palladium. One night, Tony met his beautiful blonde-haired, blue-eyed German girl. Her name was Louise. They made a date for the following weekend. When Tony arrived late, Louise refused to speak to him. Louise’s mother eventually convinced her daughter to give the soldier a second chance, and Tony was able to explain his tardiness: He had been on a three-day field training exercise and could not get to a phone. Eventually Tony was deployed, but the couple stayed in touch the best they could through letter writing. After the war, Tony returned to New York. Louise followed him east and got a job working for a bank in Manhattan. On June 28, 1947, Tony Visconti and Louise Sebastian were married at St. Angela Merici, Bronx, NY. They settled into a home on Wensley Road, in Plainview, and raised three sons: Glenn, Brian, and Wayne. Early on, as a young family man, Tony worked three jobs simultaneously—one in construction, one at a drug store, and one unloading cargo ships in the docks. He later found work with Lockwood, Kessler & Bartlett, Engineering & Construction. As a hobby, Tony and his brothers (who had all returned safely from the war) played on the same Unity League baseball team. Eventually, Louise became homesick for her family in California. Tony, always a dedicated husband and loving family man, agreed to move west. In 1969, the family relocated to La Mirada, California. Tony found work as a county road inspector. He retired as a Senior Chief Inspector for LA County Dept. of Public Works. In retirement, Tony regularly attended reunions of the 5th Marines, and he spoke at colleges and high schools about his experiences during the war. As recently as March, Tony was welcomed as an honored guest at the Nixon Library, during an appearance by Martha MacCallum, author of Unknown Valor. Tony enjoyed bowling in his senior leagues and was an avid fan of Italian Opera--two of his favorites were Puccini’s Turandot and Madam Butterfly.

Throughout his life, Tony remained a devout Catholic. He belonged to the parishes of Our Lady of Mercy, in Plainview, NY; Beatitudes of Our Lord, in La Mirada, CA; and St. Juliana Falconieri, in Fullerton, CA.

Tony lived his 95 years to the fullest because he knew what he believed in: Family, Faith, and Country. He cherished his family and was a devoted grandfather. His ability to communicate was transgenerational: everyone (from friends to grandkids) enjoyed spending time in his presence. Tony was an attentive listener and a talented story-teller; he also had the rare gift of knowing just what to say to make someone feel seen, appreciated, and loved. Whether at the head of the table (flanked by adoring nieces and nephews) or in a patio chair at a cookout, Tony had a way of being an unassuming patriarch who generously loved those around him (and made sure they knew he did).

Tony is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Magdalena; his older sister Jenny Visconti; his brothers, Frank, Joe, Sam, and Vito; his wife of 62 years, Louise; and his middle son Brian (Christine) Visconti.

Tony is survived by his sons Glenn (Nina) Visconti and Wayne (Lyla) Visconti, his grandchildren Kristopher (Katie) Visconti, Tim (Marynes) Visconti, Daniel Visconti, Michael Visconti, Drew Visconti, Sean Visconti, Lauren Visconti, and great-grandson Jacob.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Juliana Falconieri Church, Fullerton CA, on Friday, May 1st at 10 AM. Fr. Michael Pontarelli will officiate, assisted by Deacon Peter Lauder.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made out to the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Alhambra CA.