Anthony C. Battalio

Anthony C. Battalio, Jr., 76, died peacefully at his New Philadelphia home early Monday morning, August 4, 2003, less than six months following the death of his wife, Mary, on February 22, 2003.Tony was born May 20, 1927 in Lisbon to the late Anthony C. and Mary Rose Vichome Battalio. The family relocated to New Philadelphia where he graduated from high school. Tony served honorably with the U. s. Army during World War II.In 1950, Tony married the former Mary Jane Grove. They were members of Sacred Heart Church.After 48 years service, Tony retired from Union Camp at Dover where he worked as a maintenance supervisor.Tony was a very proud and active member of our community. He was a 58 year member of the Quaker Club and received the Quaker Foundation’s first Citizen of the Year award. For 15 years he served on the board of the Italian American Festival and this month received their “Outstanding Italian American” award for the up-coming festival. Tony was an avid sports fan. He managed the New Philadelphia merchants’ softball team to championship for sixteen years. He coached basketball for Sacred Heart School and baseball for the New Philadelphia Rotary Club. Tony closely followed the games of the New Philadelphia Quakers and the Notre Dame “Fighting Irish”.Among his affiliations, Tony was a life member of New Philadelphia VFW Post #1445 and the AMVETS #1338. He also belonged to the Democratic party and to the Catholic Foresters.He is survived by his daughter, Pattie Battalio; grandchildren Marci Battalio-Bricker and Fred Page, all of New Philadelphia; great grandchildren, Joseph Page of Akron, Tyler Page and Maci Jane Battalio of New Philadelphia; sisters, Mary Marinelli of New Philadelphia; Angie (Frank) Festi of Dover; Phil (Don) Garner of New Philadelphia; Jo Batcha of Boca Raton, FL; Lena Callahan of Salem and Rosie (Frank) Chini of Dennison; brothers, Tom and Albert Battalio, both of New Philadelphia; and numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents and wife, Tony was preceded in death by a grandson, Cody Bricker; a sister, Helen Smith; and brothers, John and Fred Battalio. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 6, 2003 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 9:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home with a wake service at 8:30 PM. The funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday morning at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Ed Keck officiating. Burial alongside Mary will follow at Calvary Cemetery with military rites presented by the New Philadelphia VFW Post #1445. Following the cemetery committal a reception will be held at the R & S Party Center, 115 Front Ave., SW, New Philadelphia.In memory of Tony’s life, contributions may be made to The Quaker Club, 343 Ray Ave., NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, Sacred Heart Church, 139 Third St., NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W. Third St., Dover, OH 44622.