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Post a reply || Back to NFA Class Memorial Page.. Anthony "Tony" Leonardo - Class of June 1940
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Post a reply || Back to NFA Class Memorial Page.. Anthony "Tony" Leonardo - Class of June 1940
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Anthony “Tony” Leonardo entered into eternal rest on February 29, 2016 at Elant Nursing Home in Newburgh. Tony was born to Samuel and Catherine Leonardo on December 17, 1922 in Newburgh and was one of eight children. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sister, Ellen Sculley, brothers, Constantine and Samuel; brothers-in-law Santo “John” Antinori, Jack Gruber, John Sculley and James Mendoza; his wife, Patricia; his niece, Linda Gruber, and nephew, Andrew Antinori. Tony is survived by his sisters, Angeline Gruber, Amy Antinori, and Jean Mendoza; brother, Paul; sisters-in-law Joan and Concetta Leonardo; first cousins in Italy, Italo, Lena and Victoria whom he lived with as a teenager and maintained close ties; niece, Rose Sculley Hawver, and nephew, John Antinori who served as his health advocate during his long illness. Other nieces and nephews that survive are Nancy Barker, Anthony and Kathleen Sculley, Ellen Hayden, Margaret Stepansky, Jean Moore, Carol Flannery, Sharon Lindenauer, Maria Harris and Joseph Leonardo. Tony was a devoted son, brother and uncle. He was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh where he served as an usher and attended daily mass for many years. During his teenage years Tony was sent to his parents’ native village Pietramelara near Naples, Italy to learn the tailoring trade. Upon his return to Newburgh he opened a tailor shop. He also owned and operated one of Newburgh’s first car washes for many years. As a young man Tony performed as an acrobat in the circus and at hotels and nightclubs in Las Vegas where he became acquainted with many celebrities. In retirement Tony was a full time volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital and on the occasion of his 90th birthday was recognized by the hospital for his exemplary service. He was a very compassionate person who made a special effort to visit and comfort sick and dying people, and was a lifelong lover of animals. Tony achieved a measure of fame in 1962 when he appeared as a guest on the prime time television show I’ve Got a Secret wearing a “money suit” that he fashioned and was sewn with 3000 single dollar bills. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Johnes Home and Elant Nursing Home, especially the staff on 2 East. Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Thursday, March 3 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass will be held at 11 am on Friday, March 4 in Sacred Heart Church, with burial following in Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor.