Anthony N. Scardina

Anthony Nicolo Scardina, known to all as Scotty, went to sleep in heavenly peace on the holiest of days, this Christmas, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2010, surrounded by his children and grandchildren who adored him. Scotty was a beloved father, grandfather, friend and the most loving and faithful husband to his sweetheart Gerry with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage this past June. His devotion and depth of love for his wife Gerry was unwavering even though she suffers with Alzheimer"s disease and he suffered immeasurably through a kidney transplant, open heart surgery and Parkinson"s disease. Scotty was born Oct. 27, 1927, was a life long resident of Baton Rouge and the owner of Scardina Refrigeration Co. located on South Choctaw. He graduated from Istrouma High School and served in the Navy from 1946 to 1948 upon which he received an honorable discharge as a Fireman 1st Class. Scotty then went on to complete courses in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning at the Baton Rouge Vocational Institute and after graduation went to work for Sears and Roebuck as a refrigeration mechanic. In 1950, he was hired by Esso (Exxon) where he worked as a carpentry apprentice for four years becoming a 1st Class Carpenter. In 1961, he began his own business as a refrigeration mechanic and eventually moved into selling commercial refrigeration and restaurant equipment and supplies. As a result of his tenacious spirit and hard work, his company expanded becoming Scardina Refrigeration Co. where he worked alongside his three sons and dedicated staff until his retirement at the end of 1988. Scotty was a devoted member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, an advocate of vocational and special education programs serving on multiple advisory boards, was an active member and former president of the Sherwood Forest Civic Association and was an active member and spokesman for the Louisiana Organ Procurement Association having been blessed with a kidney transplant in 1997. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Geraldine McNeil Scardina; five loving children Keith Scardina and wife Cindy, Leigh Scardina and partner Jeanne, Glenn Scardina, Bret Scardina and wife Sonya, Wendy Quinlan and husband Joey; and two siblings, Mary Ricouard and Kenneth Scardina. Scotty was also blessed with 13 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and numerous loving and supportive relatives and friends. Visiting will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., Tuesday, Dec. 28, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Visitation will resume on Wednesday, Dec. 29, at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church from 11 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at noon. Burial will be at Greenoaks Memorial Park. His family wishes to thank the caring staff both at Lakewood Quarters, Ollie Steele Burden and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center ICU nursing staff for their tender care of their father. In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations in support of the Baton Rouge Alzheimer's Association,  Parkinson's Research, and the Polycystic Kidney Research Foundation.   >