Im sitting here thinking about my life and remembering growing up in Seaford NY when Tony and my dad Bill Dowling would work on wood projects in our basement. He was such a calming spirit that was evident when ever you were in his presence

Dear Ones, It is hard to believe that two years has passed since we lost Tony. Your husband, father, grandfather  and our friend was a most unique person. His smile could light up the room.  We are honored to have  known him, laughed with him and just be in his and your company. So many wonderful memories.
Sincerely,
With affection,
Wally & Ruth Becker

Tony....your legacy lives on in the hearts of the Penthouse owners.  You are not forgotten.

Dearest Virgie and Michael, Our delayed message to you. We just learned of the loss of your beautiful husband and father. What a loss.! You will always be in his heart as he will always be with you. We were so honored and privileged  to know Tony. He was a devoted and loyal friend. We have only wonderful memories of our time together in Florida. Those times were most precious. Our prayers will always be with you. Thinking of you and your  family with affection.
With love, Wally & Ruth Becker

LOUIE and Gail SARAPOCHILLO
So sadden to hear about the passing of Tony.  He was the best, always willing to step-up and help ANYONE.  You could always count on him for anything,  He was what they say in the construction industry, A MAN WHO HAS GOLDEN HANDS.  He could do anything once he put his mind to it.  He could be doing electrical work during the day and come home and cook a gourmet meal and then play the piano.  He was a true friend, like my adopted Father.  I could go to him for anything.  He was my "go to guy". He was the type of guy who could talk to the head of a Fortune 500 company  or a plain old guy like me.   I will truly miss him and all his wisdom  and all he has done for our Penthouse South Condo here in Deerfield, Beach, Florida    Always in my thoughts and prayers.  Louie

Uncle Tony was a pleasure to be around. Always smiling and kind, he was my kind of man, worked with his hands and wasn’t afraid of work. My best memories of him were when he brought his family to my dads Catskill house, a place that Tony pretty much built himself, and we spent summer weekends together. He told the best jokes and had the best stories too….
I love you Tony. 


If we all had Tony's disposition: his knowledge, his willingness to help others, his warm smile and spirit, the world would be a better, more peaceful place. 

The last time I seen Uncle Tony was Christmas, 2017. My brother and mom, Phyllis were invited by Aunt Virgie and Uncle Tony, and unfortunately, my brother Andy had passed away 8 days prior to Christmas- so my husband Howard and I, and my mom Phyllis attended the dinner. I hadn't seen my Aunt Virgie or Uncle Tony in a very long time- and it was so nice to be there. Their son Michael was also there, and we enjoyed it very much. Uncle Tony was a wonderful man- always so kind and considerate- we were so sad to hear he had passed away. May he rest in peace.

I am so thankful to have had such a great uncle in my life.  Uncle Tony was always clever and witty, and a kind and strong influence to me.  He had so many interests and I remember being captivated by all the American Indian lore and civil war books in his house, not to mention his awesome and well used wood shop downstairs in the basement.  I wished I had got to see him more in the past few years, but I know he was happy down in FL - golfing and enjoying the weather.  I miss him already but have such good memories - 

Anthony

I will keep the memories I shared with Tony close to my heart and will thank God for each precious moment we shared together. Tony was a man among men, he was much bigger than life and with each passing day I will miss him a little bit more.

Rest in peace my dear, dear friend.

He was a most uncommon “common man”.

He was a polymath.  “A person of wide-ranging knowledge 
or learning.   ….. “a renaissance polymath”…..

“A Renaissance Man”…..”someone with many interests or talents”

The term Renaissance Man, often applied to gifted people who 
develop their abilities in all areas of accomplishment: intellectual, artistic , social, physical, and spiritual.

In the Italian Renaissance, the idea of the polymath was expressed 
in the statement that “a man can do all things if he will”.

He was seeker of knowledge and never hesitated to ask about your expertise, or volunteer information he thought would be useful or fun. He was generous with his mind.

As often as we met for dinner or a visit….I never shook his hand! It was always a hug, a kiss on the forehead, and “How are you my friend?”.
He was “all in” with his friends as he was with all interests.

It is rare to have met such a person in our lifetimes….to have a friendship is to be blessed.

God Speed ………….    Tony Polito

God Speed …………..    My Friend

Nat Steiner




John and I are heartbroken at the passing of Tony.  He was so unassuming but left an indelible memory after being in his company.
So caring, talented, a history buff,  good cook and all around wonderful human being.   Virgie and Tony were so gracious to my parents when we were at their home.  Mom and dad were in the 90’s and there was never a lull in the conversation.  That’s how comfortable they made them feel.  He will be greatly missed but we have such good memories of the times we were together.  RIP Tony.

You could consider yourself fortunate to have met and loved Tony. He was one of a kind and made you feel special and loved. He could do anything and he did. Rest In Peace, Tony. You will be forever missed.  

I will speak in the present tense, as I believe in the Hereafter.

Tony is One of, if not the most wonderful, caring, loving, enriching, nurturing, kind, mellow, dynamic gentlemen I’ve ever the privilege of being close to.

I have the honor and gift of knowing Tony for all my time at Penthouse. All of our time was transfixed into the most stimulating, energetic, knowledgeable conversations I have ever had. All of that, and a heart of pure gold.

Tony is a scholar, friend, patriot; and most importantly - a beautiful person. 

Tony could not say No. Help someone? Yes! Provide advice? Yes! Do more for someone than you would do yourself? Yes! Make you feel as if you were part of his family? Yes!!!!

His skills are beyond his beliefs, his knowledge could construct the longest bridges; his warmth and compassion could enrich and reassure us all for eternity and beyond.

The Oracles know of Tony.
The Privileged know of Tony.
The fortunate know of Tony.
I am grateful that I do also.

Al Voci


We found Tony to be a truly humble, unassuming man with a rare and beautiful gift of hospitality and generosity. At our very first encounter, Tony received us with a warm smile, an open heart and true kindness, and welcomed us into his life. How we loved sharing a good meal with him and his darling Virgie – and the hours of great conversation (and jokes) that followed! Sharing  an evening like this was, to us, a joy and a gift. As “snowbirds” our time with Tony was much too limited and we had so much more to learn from this down-to-earth, yet deep and thoughtful man. We feel the gentle, rippling wake Tony’s passing has left in our hearts and we are forever changed for having known him. 
To Virgie, Michael, and the entire Polito family: we hope you will find comfort in knowing how deeply loved and extremely proud he was of you all. We are saddened that we cannot be there to celebrate Tony’s amazing life with you at his memorial service, but will be there in Spirit. May God bless you and hold you up in this time of sorrow and may He give you peace. 
Love, Michael and Marilyn 


What can I really say.. the world will surely miss one of the gentlest souls we have ever met. We will miss your charisma, fun and laughter at our pool parties.. You were a fine gentleman and caring friend.. I thank You for inviting Rick (when he had no one to play golf with)... he so loved every Thursday, thanks to you!)..You had a HUGE heart that never went unnoticed!
Rest in Peace until we all meet again.
xoxo

Ode to a Wonderful Friend
It is so hard to accept Sunday's sad news. Tony has spent time in “his” wing of the hospital over the years, but he always came home. Why not this time, too...?
All our lives will be the poorer because he will no longer be there. He had a big welcoming personality. "Come on in."  "Come sit down."  "What can I get for you?"  He loved his wife and their life in "paradise" surrounded by his family and friends. He was content to sit on his porch and watch life, either outside the screens or by bringing it inside to him. He was a loving husband, a proud father, a terrific grandfather, and a great, loyal friend to so many of us. A lot of work and fun happened on his "Penthouse Central" porch. We will mourn his loss. His kindness. His counsel. His piano playing. (He loved that piano!) And his infectious laugh.
He touched so many lives. And, it goes without saying, that the Penthouse itself will sorely feel his loss. A talented craftsman, you can see all of his created touches that brighten our Florida home. He rightly took pride in his exquisite work. And, of course, he was involved year after year in the Penthouse's inner workings. Seeing the big picture, he always tried to lead the Penthouse in the proper direction.
He would always humbly tell you that his formal schooling had been limited. However, he was actually one of the most learned people that one could meet. His interests were so varied. And when he shared some of his knowledge in response to a question or just a topic in a conversation, you soon knew that he could easily recall and share the fullness of his learning. He personified the true meaning of being a "Renaissance man."
Because he left such a large footprint in our lives and on our hearts, it makes his loss all the harder to bear. We will miss that lovey, happy face.   I guess that God said to him - "Come on up and sit down. Let's talk..." and off he went.


Virgie, 
This third death is way too much for you to have to bear. You know that Tony never would have left you unless it was out of his control to prevent it. Not you and his beloved life in paradise....  Life can be so unfair.
And this time of COVID makes this transition unduly hard. Thank goodness you have the support of Michael and Bonnie Jean during these awful days.
We are so sorry that we will not be able to be there this weekend. Our hearts break for you and Michael and for what you are going through.  All of this came too soon in his life. He had so much more to do. We only wish that he had gotten that time.


My golf buddy and dear friend Tony was one of the most pleasant and kind men that I have had the pleasure of knowing. He had the gift of bringing brightness to wherever he was. As others have mentioned he was gifted in so many ways. Recently at his  89th birthday celebration I recall Virgie mentioning that a lot of people do not realize how gifted he is. I would agree with that and I believe the reason is that he was an unassuming man who was content with achieving things and not seeking the spotlight. His inquisitiveness and pursuit of knowledge was admirable. Tony was a very kind and giving man who was more than willing to be of help no matter the need. I truly believe that the world was a better place because of him and I like so many others will miss his presence.


To Tony's Family--especially Virgie
    Tony's was a life well lived.   His presence at the Penthouse was ever-present.  Even a person such as myself--not around that much--was accepted by him;  he helped me on numerous occasions with advice and hands on tasks.  He will really be missed by us Penthouse residents, but especially by you family who mourn his loss.  Please accept my sympathies. Peg Griffiths

Tony...we feel the heavy sadness of your passing.  You lived your life well.  An example for all of us.  Back in 2011, you accepted Deb and I as the new owners of #202.  You were a reliable, skillful jack-of-all-trades coming to our aid so many times.  And thank you for teaching me how to be a responsible HOA board member.  You are a Penthouse legend and will never be forgotten.

God Bless....Val & Deb Ouellette

Tony was one my best friends at the Penthouse.  Although he wasn’t highly formally educated, he was knowledgeable in most subjects.  Warmth and kindness flowed from Tony. His many talents included the games of bridge and golf and   playing the piano. He was an excellent cook! Tony made everyone feel important, especially the love of his life, Virgie.
Farewell dear friend.



Celebrate tony with your memories and memories that others share with you.  This celebration will keep your loved one with you  and a part of you .  
Our prayers and sympathy now  and always. 
Linda Bracco
Richard Koebel

Dear Uncle Tony,
You were in no small way a major influence in my life. Your curiosity, desire for knowledge, and skills at so many things ... woodworking, construction, baseball, the list goes on ... made a huge impression on me. I still remember you lending me your copies of Science Digest and Astronomy Today. You helped light a fire that ultimately led to my medical degree and a Ph.D. in neuroscience. I love you, and I will miss you for the rest of my life. Your nephew Steve.

OBITUARY

Anthony "Tony" Joseph Polito

August 7, 1932 – September 12, 2021

Kraeer-Becker Funeral Home and Cremation Center

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