Anthony DeGennaro

Anthony J. “Tony” DeGennaro passed away on April 28, 2026. He was born in Manhattan on October 11, 1937, and grew up in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx. Tony was the second of six children and the first son of Ida and Nicholas DeGennaro. He attended Columbus High School.

At the age of 17, Tony was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics baseball organization, where he played catcher and rose to the AAA level, playing for the Pocatello and Grand Island A’s. His baseball career took him to Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, and Nebraska. In 1960, an injury brought his dream of playing Major League Baseball to an end, but his love of sports and competition remained with him throughout his life.

Tony returned to the Bronx and married the love of his life, Anne Porco, on June 24, 1961. In August of 1961, he went into the National Guard and served his country until 1964. In 1967, they purchased a home in Plainview, Long Island, where they raised their two children, Joan and Nicholas. In 1970, they endured the great tragedy of losing their infant son, Anthony John DeGennaro, a loss that remained close to their hearts throughout their lives. After many happy years in Plainview, Tony and Anne sold their home in 2004 and moved to a retirement community in Melville. Earlier this year, they relocated to Dominican Village in Amityville. For nearly 65 years, they shared a life marked by deep love, partnership, and constant companionship.

A lifelong sportsman, Tony remained active long after his minor league playing days ended. At different stages of his life he enjoyed basketball, tennis, and golf. He coached basketball and baseball for many years and spent countless hours refereeing basketball games. Blessed with natural athletic ability and a competitive spirit, he believed that with enough time and practice he could “figure out” how to play almost any sport well. He also loved following New York sports, cheering for the Yankees, Rangers, and Knicks, and was especially passionate about the Giants, holding season tickets during the 1960s.

Tony was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had a special gift for making each of his children and grandchildren feel as though they were the most important person in the world whenever they were with him. In the past year, he experienced one of the great joys of his later life when he became a great-grandfather for the first time.

Over the last 30 years, Tony faced numerous health setbacks but repeatedly managed to recover with determination and resilience. His strength, humor, and love of life carried him through challenges that might have stopped others. In the past two years, however, he faced increasingly difficult health struggles that he ultimately could not overcome.

Tony was predeceased by his infant son, Anthony John DeGennaro; his parents, Ida and Nicholas DeGennaro; and his brothers, Nicholas, Michael, and Robert DeGennaro.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Anne; his children, Joan (Joseph) and Nicholas (Maureen); his grandchildren, Concetta (Eric), Kathleen (Dean), Gerard, Anthony (Lauren), Peter, and Maeve; his great-granddaughter, Giovanna; his sisters, Josephine and Roseann; his sisters-in-law, Ann Marie, Theresa, and Maureen; and his nieces and nephews, Ann-Marie (Rich), Eva (Eddie), Nicholas (Nora), Christine (Tony), Frances, Joseph, Nicholas (Diane), Maria (Anthony), and Vincent (Laura), along with their children and grandchildren.

Tony will be remembered for his warmth, his competitive spirit, his love of sports, and most of all for the way he made the people in his life feel valued and loved. His family will carry his stories, his laughter, and his example with them always.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Tony may consider making a donation to the American Kidney Fund at kidneyfund.org.

Visitation will be held at Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Homes, 655 Old Country Road, Plainview, NY 11803, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, & 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will take place at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 500 S Oyster Bay Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801, on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 10:00 am.

A Committal Service will follow at St. Charles / Resurrection Cemeteries, 2015 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY 11735.