Bartolo Anthony Mantia

Bartolo Anthony Mantia, affectionately known as Buddy, was born July 8, 1937 in Dayton, Ohio to Grace DeSantis Mantia and Thomas Joseph Mantia. Buddy felt blessed to have grown up in the big, warm Mantia clan, and he treasured memories of time spent together at Dominic’s, the family’s Italian restaurant. He never forgot the nearly daily thrill of attending movies with his mother, which led to his lifelong love of film.

In 1955 he graduated from Wilbur Wright High School where the coach of their championship baseball team taught him his lifelong motto, “Never give up”.

Gifted with a rich, tenor voice, and dreaming of a singing career, he moved to New York City. Soon he was performing as the opening act for the comedian, Jack E. Leonard, and playing Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and major venues throughout the country.

After that, as a member of the cutting edge comedy trio, The Untouchables, and later the comedy team, Alto and Mantia, Buddy appeared in every major room and casino in the country, as well as TV talk shows, variety shows such as The Dean Martin Show, and TV specials He co-starred in a television pilot for NBC, appeared on Broadway in Three from Brooklyn, and was inducted into The New York Comedy Hall of Fame.

Turning to his love of movies, Buddy produced the feature film, The Last Request, starring Danny Aiello – and wrote a number of screenplays.

Buddy was adored by his friends for his endearing personality, and for his authenticity, sense of humor and kindness. He will be missed by the young performers he encouraged, and in a special way by his low stakes poker pals and the members of the championship softball team he coached for 45 years. (In 2016 he was inducted into the Central Park Softball Hall of Fame.)

In spite of living in New York City Buddy was always a Dayton guy, and he only cheered for the Cincinnati Reds.

Buddy’s heart was full of love for his cousins Dick, Sonny, David, John, and Michelle and Christie Mantia; his nieces Autumn and John Johnson, and Nichole Mantia; and especially for his beloved companion in life, Barbara Feldon.

Funeral Service will be held at 12pm on Monday, November 10, 2025 at David's Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, 4600 Mad River Rd., Dayton, OH. Burial will follow in David's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Buddy’s favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, would be welcome.

Condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com