He was 60 and the beloved twin son of Mark A. and R. Armida Colone of Oneonta, NY. Born December 11, 1960 the youngest twin boy with brother Mark D., two weeks premature from their Christmas delivery date, the only person not surprised was his mother. And, Anthony brought smiles and surprises the rest of his life.
He lived a life of building dreams for families and friends, giving opportunities to job seekers who became ultra-successful doing the same. Who knew that in 1985 when a fellow named Russ Brown asked him to see if he could sell “time share” while making lunches at historic Bess’s Deli, he would build a celebrated career as director of sales for the Marriott Vacation Club and later Hilton Grand Vacation? While he was in charge of creating a sales team to share properties in Hilton Head; Williamsburg, VA; and Myrtle Beach, SC, he never met a stranger, and built a legion of associates and clients worldwide, many of whom visited, wrote, called, and texted daily while he was battling liver disease in the Hilton Head Hospital and then Hospice from May 14 until the time of his passing. His network of true friends would fill Dutch Damaschke Stadium and then some.
He is survived by his doting parents, his younger sister Maria Torruella (husband Bill) – he called her Santa Maria and they talked often – of Oneonta, his twin Mark of Belmont, NC (wife Susan, and children Logan and Olivia), the love of his life, Christine, and son Matthew of Fort Mill, SC, daughter Marisa of Charleston, SC, and sister-in-law Lisa Jindra of Durham, NC, and uncles, aunts, and cousins, and so many friends.
A lifelong NY Giants, NY Yankees, and Notre Dame football fan, and rock music, especially The Rolling Stones, and U2, he graduated from Oneonta HS in 1979, SUNY-Broome in 1981, and SUNY-Binghamton in 1983. Always great to finish an argument, he thought about a law degree, but he was drawn to sales.
They called him “AC”, his initials, but it could easily have meant “Always Closing” or “Actively Contacting”, because he was the first to lend a hand to a friend, take a chance on a job candidate, open an opportunity to a job seeker, give money to a stranger, tip bigger than expected, and had a heart as big as Italy! When he was in the hospital, friends visited from all across the country, sometimes 10-12 at a time. It was overwhelming. Each had a beautiful story of generosity, love, and affection. Anthony awoke from the pain each time to share a wink, a nod, a smile, and even a story. What a legacy. What a network. What a life.
The family wishes to thank Bob Decker, revered next-door childhood neighbor, for traveling from southern California to spend a week with him in the hospital and prepare him for Hospice, and Bryan Gillam of Vermont, who also spent a week with him and set up a beautiful Facebook Group page that generated stories, photos, laughs, prayers, testimonials, and more from more than 160 friends. Without a doubt though, there is no possible way his passing could have been handled so peacefully and communicated so critically if it was not for his Island friends and long-time co-workers Victor Del Guercio and Bob DeRose. They spent countless hours and nearly every day with him while in the Hospital and in Hospice Care, offering phone calls, texts, and sharing meals and stories with him, making him laugh, and allowing him the comfort to pass with dignity.
Mark and Armida wish to thank cousin Fran Colone and his wife Sharon for driving them to visit Anthony in June, as well as Jimmy and Christy Briguglio for visiting him on multiple occasions, along with so many people who traveled to visit Anthony.
A celebration of life and funeral mass will be held in Oneonta at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, August 7 at 9:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you contribute to the charity of your choice or throw a party, take a vacation, attend a sporting event, play your favorite music loud, and live, love, and laugh. Because AC was full throttle and Heaven is getting a closer with a great collection of stories!
To leave a condolence for the family, visit www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.
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