Anthony Joseph Nocella

Born on the 13th of October 1941, in South Philadelphia, Tony was raised in a close-knit, blue-collar Italian neighborhood that shaped his character forever. From an early age, he learned the values that defined his life: hard work, loyalty, intellectual curiosity, and the belief that opportunity is earned through discipline and perseverance. He grew up and worked every day in the family’s Italian bakery that was connected to their home and the lessons learned in that bakery grounded him, guided him, and gave him a street-smart wisdom that paired seamlessly with his extraordinary intellect. His work ethic was formulated from years of scrubbing the cinnamon pans before he could go out and play basketball.

At the center of Tony’s life was his beloved wife, Ruth. For over 55 years, their marriage was his anchor and his greatest partnership.

Through every chapter—busy years, big decisions, his career, the move to Texas, quiet moments—Ruth was his constant, the foundation of his life and success. She gave him the support, encouragement, and energy he needed to achieve all his successes. She was by his side fighting the disease every step of the way. Her strength, love, energy, and the way she was always looking forward kept him excited. Together they built a family defined by love, pride, and mutual respect. They built a legacy together.

He was the proud father of Kristina Dillon (Chris), Anthony Nocella, and Kimberly Bader (John), each of whom carries forward his values, strength, and determination. He was proud of each of his children in different ways, and he supported them with a mix of high expectations, deep belief, and unconditional love. He led not by pressure, but by example—showing what discipline, integrity, and perseverance look like in real life.

Becoming a grandfather brought Tony a special kind of joy. Tony took immense pride in that role, and found special joy in Connor Dillon, Logan Dillon, Nicholas Denmark, Angelina Denmark, and Journey Denmark. He loved watching them grow, listening to their stories, and quietly cheering them on. To his grandchildren, he was a steady presence—wise, interested, and always proud. His lessons were rarely loud, but he served as a steady example of integrity, curiosity, and quiet confidence.

Tony’s life story is remarkable, but those closest to him knew that his greatest qualities had nothing to do with titles or achievements. He loved to run at Valley Green, he played basketball and would often hustle the guys at the court with his signature hook shot. He loved music, poetry, and the arts. He was an advocate for those who were less fortunate or disadvantaged. He loved to build teams who loved him, he was always honest and was famous for irrational quotes…the best one was “We are a success because we are a failure.” He was proud to be an Italian and was the first Italian to get admitted into the Union League of Philadelphia. He loved ideas and conversations that went deep. He was direct, fair, and honest—someone you could trust to tell you the truth and stand by you afterward. He believed in preparation, accountability, and doing things the right way, even when it was hard.

Professionally, Tony was a visionary. He served his country in the United States Air Force, an experience he often described as his first true window on the wider world. While working full-time, he pursued higher education with relentless drive, earning degrees from La Salle University and Temple University, and completed advanced banking studies at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He became a Certified Public Accountant prior to graduating with his bachelor’s degree and his mastery of finance was matched only by his ability to see around corners.

Tony helped shape one of the first publicly owned hospital systems in the U.S., American Medicorp. Over the course of his career, he helped take four companies public, including institutions that became among the most influential in the nation. One of them, PSFS, was the largest IPO in the world at the time. Tony influenced modern financial markets, as one of the creators of the mortgage-backed securities market, including the first commercial and residential mortgage-backed offerings. He was a co-founder and Vice Chairman of Bank United, which grew to become the largest bank headquartered in Texas, and a respected leader in banking, finance, and capital markets across multiple decades.

Tony received the La Salle University De La Salle Award, the Financial Executives Institute Lifetime Key Member Award, the American Institute of CPAs Lifetime Award, The Citation for Private Sector Initiatives from President Reagan and the National Italian American Award from President Clinton.

Yet for all his professional accomplishments, Tony believed deeply in giving back. He devoted countless hours to civic and philanthropic leadership, serving hospitals, educational institutions, financial associations, and charitable organizations dedicated to mental health, education, the Arms Wide adoption services, and urban development. His service reflected a lifelong belief that success carries an obligation—to lift others, to strengthen communities, and to leave things better than you found them.

Those who knew Tony knew a man of sharp intellect, candid humor, and unwavering principles. He was a mentor, a problem-solver, and a truth-teller—never flashy, always substantive. He loved ideas, history, strategy, and spirited conversation, especially with his son Anthony. He also loved deeply and quietly, showing his devotion not through grand gestures, but through constancy, presence, and unwavering support. He would spend hours on the phone with family and friends listening and trying to help with whatever financial or life issue they were then facing.

To those who knew him well, Tony was steady in a way that made others feel safe. He was someone you could lean on. Someone who thought ahead. Someone who showed up. His love was constant, his advice thoughtful, and his presence reassuring. He led his family and teams with love, trust, courage, laughter, and an expectation of hard work.

Tony leaves behind a family who loved him deeply and who will carry his lessons forward—in how they work, how they lead, how they love, and how they show up for one another. His voice, his wisdom, and his strength will be missed every day.

But his legacy lives on—in his wife, Ruth, his children, his grandchildren, and the countless lives he touched simply by being exactly who he was. Tony is also survived by his two brothers, Joseph (Camille) Nocella and Ronald (Lisa) Nocella, a niece, Veronica Nocella, a nephew, Walter Jeranek, and great-niece Caroline Jeranek.

Anthony Joseph Nocella lived a life of purpose, courage, and impact. His legacy is not only written in institutions, innovations, or accolades, but in the family he cherished, the people he mentored, and the values he passed down. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.

The family would like to extend a special appreciation for the support provided by Christina, Mariam and Martha of Senior Helpers.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from one o’clock until three o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 14th of February, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, Texas, where a celebration of Tony’s life is to commence at three o’clock in the Jasek Chapel.

For those unable to attend, virtual attendance may be accessed by selecting the "Join Livestream" icon in the service section below.

Immediately following, all are invited to join the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

Services will also be held at ten o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 14th of March, in the De La Salle Chapel of LaSalle University, 1900 West Olney Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

An interment service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Sunday, the 15th of March, at Philadelphia Memorial Park, 124 Phoenixville Pike in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Tony’s name may be directed to: ArmsWide.org, 6925 Portwest Drive, Suite 110, Houston, Texas 77024 or La Salle University, 1900 W. Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141 or by selecting the link below under "Donations".