Obituary of Anthony A. Abone, Sr.

It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Anthony A. Abone (Tony), 90, of Rome, on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at St Luke’s Healthcare, New Hartford, with his family by his side.

Tony was born in Rome on January 8, 1933, the son of the late Joseph Abone and Catherine Ursino Abone.  On October 20, 1956, he married Rosemarie Puleo of Frankfort, NY. 

Tony attended Rome Free Academy and Rome Trade School.  In January 1953, during the Korean War, Tony was inducted into the US Army, serving as Staff Sergeant in the 7^th infantry Division, Medical Branch.  He was honorably discharged in December 1954.  During his service years, Tony received the Korean Service Medal, the Bronze Service Star, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. 

Upon his return to Rome, Tony was employed as a sheet metal specialist with the 416^th Field Maintenance Squadron, Griffiss AFB, Rome New York, where he remained until his retirement in January 1988. He swore that Griffiss had the best field maintenance squadron in the country.  Tony earned the Department of the Air Force Certificate of Service Award for his 34 years of faithful and dedicated service.  

After his retirement from Griffiss AFB, Tony gave back to the youth of his community by running the Rome Recreational Department’s Franklyn Field Summer Baseball Program where he enjoyed teaching baseball fundamentals.  Over his several summers as program coordinator, he became known to many simply as “Poppy”!  

Tony grew up in Rome and raised his family there as well.  Tony was an avid sports fan…. golfing at the Mohawk Glen Golf Club, bowling in leagues at Rome Bowling Center and King Pins Lanes, and playing cards and bocce at the Toccolana Club.   He also spent many years playing in the Rome softball league at Haselton Park.  But baseball was, undeniably, his favorite sport.  He spent many years as a baseball coach, and manager, most notably as manager of the Henry P. Smith Post #24 American Legion baseball team in Rome from 1978 – 2016, having led the team to two New York State championships as manager in 1978 and 1998, with his youngest son Tony as a player on the 1978 team, and as a coach in 1998.  During his 38 years at the helm, he compiled an impressive win/loss record of 730/291, as well as five NYS finalist appearances, and numerous Oneida County, District V and Zone Championships. He truly loved being the manager of the many outstanding young men fortunate to have been part of the Henry P. Smith Post American Legion Baseball Program.  Tony was honored for his many years of dedication to the youth of our community by being inducted into the Rome Sport Hall of Fame in 2006, as well as receiving a congratulatory letter from Robert Manfred, Major League Baseball Commissioner, upon his retirement from managing in 2016.

Without a doubt, Tony’s greatest joy in life was introducing his sons to the game of baseball at a very early age, and following them throughout their high school, collegiate and professional careers.  He later enjoyed following his grandchildren’s athletic endeavors.  A prouder father and grandfather could not be found!!

Tony is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Rosemarie, two sons, Joe (Susan) of Collierville TN, and Tony Jr. (Terry) of   Rome, his 6 grandchildren Tracie (Greg) Dombrowski of Naples FL,  Anthony “TJ “ (fiancé Fernanda) Abone of Tampa FL, Timothy (fiancé Nicole) Abone of Albany NY,  Alexandra (Blaine) Williams, Samantha (Taylor) Page, and Ryan (Lainey) Abone, all of Collierville TN, his 7 great-grandchildren Blakely and Brady Dombrowski, Ella, Nathan and Ava Williams, and Noah and Luke Page, as well as many loving nieces and nephews whom he often teased, joked around with,  gave funny nicknames to and often entertained by performing his unique talents such as kicking a quarter into his shirt pocket, making his bicep muscles dance, fluttering his ears and his famous “Donald Duck” quack. 

He is predeceased by his parents, brothers Frank (Nellie) Fabrizio and Patsy (Margaret) Fabrizio, sister Mary (Frank) Dellork, father and mother- in- law, Paul and Angelina Puleo, brothers and sisters- in- law Joseph and Rosalie Puleo, Joanne Puleo, Paul Puleo, and Joann Smith.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Brookdale Memory Care in Clinton, the St Lukes Rehabilitation Center in Utica, and the St Luke Health Care, 6^th floor, for the compassion given to Tony and our family during this difficult time.  

Memorial contributions, in Tony’s name, may be made to Henry P. Smith Post #24 American Legion Baseball Program, 325 Erie Blvd West, Rome NY or to the Thomas P. Zmudosky, Sr., Memorial Baseball Scholarship, C/O Carmel Zmudosky, 800 Cedar Street, Rome NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at St John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick Street, Rome with the Rev. Father Paul F. Angelicchio officiating.  Burial with Full Military Honors will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may call at Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, on Wednesday, July 12, from 4-7pm.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com