Angelo Anthony "Tony" Petito, 87, passed away surrounded by his loving family on July 2, 2014. Tony was the beloved husband of the Irene (Casciotti) and the son of the late Carlo and Carmela Petito.
Tony was a lifelong resident of the Ithaca area and a veteran of World War II, having served as a young Navy gunner and musician. In his long and very productive professional life, Tony started as a musician leading a swing band in the 1940s and 1950s. As his family grew he became a carpenter, a builder, and a landlord. Many of the buildings you see around Ithaca were built by Tony. You can see his work on the island of Aruba as well. Tony also parlayed his love of flying into a career as a flight instructor and commercial charter pilot with Chart Air. He served as president of the East Hill Flying Club and some of his former students are stilling flying in this area. Tony also helped to beautify the Newfield area, having served as a Town enforcement officer for many years.
Tony was an avid competitive golfer. He learned the game shortly after his discharge from the Navy and won numerous City and club championships over 50 years. His first was in 1950 (Ithaca City champion) and his most recent was in 2000 (Newman Senior Club champion). He was proud of having scored his age for 18 holes for more than a decade.
The most important thing to Tony was his family. Tony is survived by his beloved wife Irene, his three children, Carl Petito (Karen), Debbie Jackson (Craig) & John Petito (Cindy), his sister Christine McCartney and his five loving grandchildren, Sarah Reilly (Denis), Daniel Petito (Genevra), Michael Petito, Christopher Jackson and Bryan Jackson. Tony also leaves behind three lovely great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins whom he dearly loved.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 7, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at Bangs Funeral Home, 209 W Green St, Ithaca NY. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery on Floral Ave, Ithaca NY.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Sunday, July 6, 2014, from noon to 2 p.m., in the funeral home.
Those wishing to remember Tony in a special way may send contributions to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation at www.curethekids.org. To leave the family a message on their guest book, obtain a prayer card, get directions or share a photo or E-card, please visit Bangs Funeral Home at www.bangsfuneralhome.com
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