ANTHONY J. "TONY" MEDAGLIA Jr.

MEDAGLIA, Anthony J. "Tony" Jr. Family Man, Lawyer, Sailor, Golfer, Philanthropist, Patron of the Arts Tony Medaglia died on Thursday, April 14, 2022 at home, after a long illness. Tony was a devoted husband, loving father, and beloved grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, his love of 65 years; their three children, Christian Medaglia, Elizabeth Medaglia and her husband Mark Grindle, and Justin Medaglia and his wife Kirstin Medaglia; his five grandchildren, Isabella Luna Medaglia-Grindle, Ophelia Autumn Medaglia-Grindle, Mary Grace Medaglia, John Anthony Medaglia, and Rhys Alexander Medaglia; and his sister, Anne Medaglia Haugh. He was predeceased by his parents, Anthony J. Medaglia and Mary (Frango) Medaglia. He also leaves many loving nieces and nephews and many loyal friends. Tony was born February 16, 1937 in Brighton. He grew up in Newton and advanced through the Elliot, Weeks, and Newton High schools. As a recipient of a Navy ROTC scholarship, Tony excelled at Harvard College, graduating cum laude, class of 1959, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Tony was then commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, serving 1959-62, which placed him directly in the drama unfolding in the Bay of Pigs during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He went on to serve in the Naval Reserve for over a decade. In 1965, Tony earned his Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School. He was active and devoted for many years in organizing alumni events for the Harvard College class of 1959, serving as chairman of his 35th reunion, which he truly loved. He served with many Harvard organizations over the years, and he and Catherine established a scholarship in their names for undergraduate students in need. Tony was recognized for over 20 years as a Best Lawyer in America in the corporate field of law. Tony was a member, supporter, and officer of a number of organizations, including his beloved Brae Burn Country Club, where he had served as President, Oyster Harbors Golf Club, Windsor Club, where he had served as President, Harvard Club of Boston, Ocean Reef Club, where he had served as Board Member, Card Sound Golf Club, Scituate Yacht Club, Ocean Reef Yacht Club, Dana Hall School, where he had served as Board Member, and Belmont Hill and Fessenden Schools, where he had served as Parents Committee Member. Tony was known for his colorful bow ties, radiant smile, and joyful whistling. His great fun was had on the golf course and in a sailboat. As steady captain of his ship, he boldly led his young family on yearly adventures on the open sea. Tony's mastery of navigation, perfected in The Navy, was put to the test the first year in a sailboat with no instrumentation to guide him; he sailed the family to their destination solely by markers and checkpoints he hand-charted on paper. Together, the family weathered storms, dodged buoys and rocks, survived a smoking engine, and even had a near-miss with a looming lighthouse, rising out of the sea and engulfed in dense fog. They encountered Andre the Seal, several pods of dolphins, and even a whale, who knocked the boat up and out of the sea, leaving behind its evidence, discovered in dry dock: a deep gash in the bottom of the boat. Through it all, Tony was the steady hand and fearless leader. The qualities he brought to seafaring defined every aspect of his life: mastery, boldness, a sense of adventure, and pure joy in the things he loved to do. He will be greatly missed and always loved. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 22, at 10:30 am at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, 573 Washington St., Newton, followed by a reception at Brae Burn Country Club, 326 Fuller St., Newton. Donations may be made in Tony's name to Mass. General Hospital, Alzheimer's Disease Research Lab of Dr. Teresa Gomez Isla, to the attention of Krista McCabe, MGH Development, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA, 02114. Arr. by Magni FH, NEWTON.

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