Anthony V. Casola

Tony was born in the Bronx, New York in 1924, the son of Italian Immigrants. He grew up during the Great Depression. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, seeing action in the Philippines and the South Pacific theater. On July 18, 1948, he married Lucy Russo. Tony ran a successful small business in NYC for a time, and later accepted a position at Sikorsky Aircraft in Connecticut. In 1957 he moved the family to Monroe, realizing his dream of owning a home in the country. Younger family members still living in New York City referred to the property as “Uncle Tony’s Park”.

Tony was deeply committed to home and family. He studied the Bible and volunteered at Saint Stephen’s and Saint Jude’s Churches and in the Monroe Community. At the age of almost 70, Tony was still driving for Meals on Wheels, in his words, “delivering dinners to the old people”. Tony always put others first. Everyone in the neighborhood knew they could rely on Tony’s cheerful assistance and well-developed handyman skills if they needed help with home maintenance projects. Tony loved being outdoors, working in his yard and garden, swimming and picnicking at Candlewood Lake, and sharing long, slow holiday dinners with as many extended family members as could be packed around the dining room table.

Tony was preceded in death by his sister Mary. He is survived by Lucy, his beloved wife of 72 years, and by his children Virginia Glassman and husband Aaron of Trumbull, CT, Patricia Chase and husband Thomas of Monroe, CT, Thomas Casola and wife Sue Smithers of Pipersville, PA, and Theresa Caruso and husband Michael of Monroe, CT. He was also the proud grandfather of Anthony, Julie, Marissa and Alisha, and great-grandfather to Kaitlyn, Alexandra, Christopher, and Evelyn. A fifth great-grandchild is expected later this year.

Tony was a member of the Greatest Generation. His strength of character, his faith in God, his calm determination and profound human decency will be sorely missed but serve to illuminate a path of honor and integrity in today’s sometimes confusing world.

A viewing will be held from 9:00 - 10:00 on Friday, October 16, 2020 at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held immediately following visitation, Friday, October 16, 2020 at 10:30 at Saint Stephen’s Church, 6948 Main St, Trumbull, CT. Burial to immediately follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Moose Hill Road, Monroe, CT.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Thomas Merton Center, 43 Madison Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604.