Obituary of Anthony Schiavone

February 22, 2024

On the morning of February 22^nd 2024, Anthony passed away at Community Hospice, Bailey Center, St Augustine, Florida at the age of 76. He spent his last months courageously battling an illness in the close company of his brother James and sister-in-law Rosemary.

Born on July 16^th, 1947, in New York, New York, Anthony was the third child of James and Phyllis Schiavone (Liquori). Growing up he was a typical neighborhood kid in the Village, who enjoyed playing sports, in particular basketball, participating in the boy scouts and playing the drums. As a young boy he became quite accomplished at horseback riding (English saddles), which influenced his lifelong interest in horse racing. He graduated from New York High School of Printing in 1965.

Following graduation, Anthony took many courses of study at New York College of Insurance, which started him on his career in ocean marine insurance, working for Fireman’s Fund and then Liberty Mutual Insurance. He was a hard worker, well-liked by his colleagues as he climbed the corporate ladder. Despite his dedication to his work and admiration for his co- workers, Anthony was quite happy when he was able to retire. He appreciated the turnout at the party thrown in his honor when he left Liberty Mutual and continued to keep in touch with many of his co-workers.

Anthony was a kind, thoughtful and caring man who prioritized spending time with his family, in particular during Sunday dinners and holidays. He was extremely close with his mother, Phyllis, and remained in daily contact with her until she passed away in 2008.

Anthony liked to travel and had a particular fondness for South Florida and Las Vegas, where he enjoyed seeing shows. He visited Europe a number of times and, while he enjoyed numerous countries on the continent, his ancestral homeland of Italy held a special place in his memory. He liked to stay in nice hotels and had an appreciation for good, personalized service and attention to detail.

An avid sports fan, Anthony attended many, many sporting events in person. He was a big fan of the New York Yankees and, later in life, the United States Women’s National Soccer Team. He had a keen interest in horseracing and cherished his fond memories of weekend bus trips to Saratoga in the summertime as well as regular visits to Belmont Park on the LIRR.

Perhaps the things that Anthony enjoyed best was being “Uncle Anthony” and “Uncle Tony.” He is fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews as a kind and attentive presence in their lives and for his generosity. They all recall him being the first to reach for the check during family dinners at Italian restaurants and remembering to send a card without fail (always with some “fazools”) on birthdays and holidays. His nephew James recalls his Uncle Tony continuing to attempt to slip him $50 dollar bills when he was well into his 30s and gainfully employed. It was consistent with his desire to ensure everyone was taken care of.

Uncle Tony was immensely proud of his nieces and nephews’ academic and professional achievements, and it made him so happy as they found partners and started their own families.

His nephew Skyler remembers his Uncle Tony taking him to do things that broadened his horizons which he otherwise wouldn’t have experienced. When Skyler became an Uncle himself, he felt he understood how to be a ‘good’ Uncle, because of the example that Anthony had set for him.

His niece Kim recalls him taking her to car and boat shows in Manhattan when she was a teenager and always making jokes. They continued to speak regularly through the years, and she enjoyed the conversations they had while he was driving around South Florida in retirement.

He shared his love of sports with his nephews, James and Skyler, often taking them to baseball, football and hockey games throughout their childhood and spoiling them with hotdogs, ice cream and sodas. He continued to debate the Yankees’ chances with his nephews every Spring Training.

Anthony retired to Hollywood, Florida, in the early 2010s. During his time there, Anthony appreciated his leisure, relaxation, and the luxury of avoiding the cold New York winters. He enjoyed visiting Gulfstream Racetrack, seeing concerts and shows, taking trips to the Aventura Mall, and getting his daily exercise by taking long walks on A1A Boulevard. He liked to visit local restaurants for breakfast and dinner and was a regular at the Pancake House in Aventura, where he enjoyed chatting with friends and his favorite waitress, Diana.

In retirement, he routinely visited his brother James and sister-in-law Rosemary in St. Augustine, Florida for holidays. He enjoyed spending time with family, telling stories about the old neighborhood while eating home cooked meals and (more than) his fair share of cake.

In his last few months, Anthony reflected on the life he had lived with an appreciation for all he had been given, pride in all that he had earned, and thankfulness for the love of the family and friends with whom he spent his time on earth.

He will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Anne and brother-in-law Joseph.

He is survived by his brother James and sister-in-law Rosemary, nieces Kim and Susan, Karen (Anthony) and nephews James (Jennifer) and Skyler (Momo) Schiavone, as well as his great niece Marissa and great nephews Anthony, Joseph, and James.

Donations in his honor can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the ASPCA.

 

Funeral Services