Born the youngest son to a family of 6 children in Geneva, New York on April 8th 1937. Strongly family oriented, he spent his childhood helping his mother, father and siblings around the house and in the garden. At age 19 he left Geneva to follow his brothers and serve our country in the U.S Navy from 1955-59 when he was honorably discharged. Later that year he moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he met his first wife LaVonne and started a family. He graduated from Gateway Community College as a certified surgical technician. He then became a loyal employee of Good Samaritan Hospital where he later met his second wife Donna, a labor and delivery nurse. He worked diligently at Good Samaritan Hospital for 33 years until the day he retired and continued to assist there part-time even after his retirement. When Tony wasn’t hard at work he was spending time with his three children, Rosemary, John and Toni. His favorite activities included spending his summers back in Geneva with his brothers and sisters, tending to his gardens, and cooking up his homemade tomato sauce, meatballs and Italian fry bread. An honor of his for 22 years was hosting his annual party for all of his Good Samaritan family; which consisted of nurses, surgeons and various hospital staff. Tony’s greatest values in life were always his family, friends and home cooked meals which originated from his very own garden. He is survived by his two daughters, Rosemary and Toni, his son John, his two granddaughters, Rika and Heleina, his four grandsons, Arik, Anthony, Dominic and Bryan, and his two great-grandsons, Taren and Adam. Memorial Service will be at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 8, 2017 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Boys Town or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Heleina
Routine 13 grandpa. You will be in my heart, memories and stories until the end of time. Pookie loves you. He points to all your pictures and says “Gappa!”. He will never stop hearing about how much you just adored him. I miss you dearly.
Connie Gowers
Toni, Heleina, Anthony and the rest of the family. Steve and I are sending our prayers and lots of hugs. Losing a parent is one of the hardest things we will ever have to do. There will be days of sorrow ahead, but remember that there are lots of people to reach out to for a hug, a kind word, or just to listen. I am here anytime you need. Sending hugs of love. Xoxo “Nana”
The Ursu Family
Our girls were very upset to hear that pops was sick! Toni has become part of our family and with that her father viewed as a grandfather to our girls. Our deepest condolences go out to your whole family. Tony left a lasting impression on us! I admire how strong he was! I appreciate his never ending sarcasm and humor! We are very sad that he has passed.
Sheila Skistrom Ramirez
So sorry to hear about the loss of Tony. He and my first husband John Skifstrom and I were friends over 50 plus years ago, in fact he was part of our wedding party on April 11, 1962 and we were part of his and Bonnie’s wedding. My sincere condolences and Rosemary if you’d like to contact me as I have some pictures of your Dad and Grandmother and Grandfather you might like to have, please do so.
Sheila Skifstrom Ramirez
9282731694
John Caro
It was a pleasure of mine to have met your Grandpa and he will be missed.
I just said a prayer in his name, Amen.
Toni Carnovale
Daddy
I love you so much … I had a dream early before I woke up hearing this morning 4/9 you calling my name from the monitor…. I pray I keep hearing your voice.
I still can’t believe that you are gone
I miss you every day and I just pray it will get easier you are my best friend my hero my heart Daddy I love you …Toni Maria