Anthony 'tony' E. Carney,

Anthony E. Carney, Jr. (Tony) born August 22, 1931, son of the late Anthony Carney, Sr. and Helen (Sobotka) Carney, died on Saturday (November 10, 2007) after a long illness. Born in Bridgeport, he lived most of his life in Stratford and later in Trumbull. An accomplished accordion and keyboard musician, in the mid-1950's he created his orchestra, ""Tony Carney Society Ensembles."" He received many awards for his talent, including winning performances on the Arthur Godfrey and Arlene Francis television shows. He was predeceased by his ex-wife, accomplished vocalist Lillian (Lee) McAuliffe Carney, and their son, Douglas Carney. Tony was also predeceased by three brothers, Joseph, John and Charles Carney, as well as his long-time companion, Julia L. Hunt, and her dog, Chelsea. Survivors include a daughter, Karen Carney Pilkington, her husband William Pilkington, and their son, Billy, all of Rocky Hill. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Rocky Hill, on Wednesday, November 14, at 11 a.m. A graveside service led by William Pilkington will be on Friday, 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Cemetery in Stratford. Anthony Carney, Sr. and Julia Hunt's remains also will be buried at that time, all in the Sobotka family plot. Calling hours are Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Special thanks to the staff at Bel Air Manor in Newington and VNA HealthCare, Inc. HOPE Team. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Safe Place to Grieve Foundation, Inc. 109 Main St. Wethersfield, CT. 06109, or VNA HealthCare, Inc. HOPE Team 103 Woodland St. Hartford, CT 06105. For expressions of sympathy please go to www.desopo.com.