Anthony “Tony” Scalambrino

Anthony “Tony” Scalambrino, 80, of New Philadelphia, died Saturday, September 13, 2014 in New Dawn Retirement Community at Dover following a period of declining health.

Tony was born on Dec. 31, 1933. His father Francesco, or Frank, who immigrated from Italy, worked in the coal mines while his mother Mary raised their six children.

Tony was an outstanding athlete, and was recently inducted into the New Philadelphia Football Hall of Fame. He attended The Ohio State University prior to entering the Army where he served in the Military Police.

In 1960 he married Marie from Dover, Ohio with whom he raised their five children: Bernadette, Sally, Charmaine, Joni, and Frank.

Tony attended the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Philadelphia. He served for many years as a youth football coach for New Philadelphia High School, and retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation. Tony loved gardening, cooking, singing, laughing, and visiting with people.

He was proud of his Italian heritage, and would remark how the name Scalambrino points to the connection of his family’s bloodline with the ancient Eleusinian mysteries. Yet, he always identified himself as an American, and was often vigilant in reminding us of the values on which America was founded.

Tony was a natural artist. He was known for his drawing, landscaping, metal sculpture, and painting. Generous with this time, he was friendly to all, and people loved to listen to him reminisce, telling stories and jokes. He participated in the VFW, the Italian-American Club, and the New Philadelphia Quaker Club.

He is survived by his brother Nicholas Scalambrino, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews; his daughter Bernadette, and her husband Paul, Teeter of Clyde, Ohio; his daughter Sally, and her husband Ron, Dotts of New Philadelphia, Ohio; his daughter Charmaine, and her husband Nick, Patuto of Dover, Ohio; his daughter Joni, and her husband Harold, of New Philadelphia, Ohio; and his son Frank, and his wife Stephanie (Swales), of Dallas, Texas.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Thursday, September 18, 2014 from 5 to 8 p.m. with a Catholic Wake service commencing at 7:45 p.m. Father Jeff Coning will celebrate Mass of Christian Burial in Sacred Heart Church on Friday, September 19, 2014 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia where the New Philadelphia VFW will render military honors.

A meal will be shared in the Geib Family Center, located adjacent to the funeral home, following the committal service.

Those wishing to honor his memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so by making a donation to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 139 3rd Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.