Anthony J. Colandrea

Anthony J. Colandrea

Palm Bay, FL

Anthony Joseph Colandrea, 90, caring father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and Leader of the community. Tony passed away quietly in his home, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, June 10, 2014. He will meet his beloved wife, Angelina, who left this world on October 10, 2003.

Tony was an amazing man who touched many lives and will be very sorely missed. Born on May 13, 1924 in Middlehope, NY to Salvatore and Anna Colandrea, Tony worked in construction, where he was a Heavy Equipment Operator, Superintendent, Estimator and member of the Operating Engineers Local 825 until his retirement in 1980. Tony was a Charter Life Member of the Winona Lake Engine Co. #2 where he served as Pres, V.P. Capt, Asst Chief and Chief. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and was a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners for 10 years. He is also the only member to have served as President, Chief and Chairman of the Board. He served as Treasurer and Lay Chaplain for the Fire Chiefs of Orange County and was a member of the NYS Inter-county Judge's Assoc. Tony was a member of the Fireman's Assoc. of the State of NY and served on the Town of Newburgh Bureau of Fire as Asst. Chief. He helped to create the office and appoint the Fire Inspector for the Town of Newburgh. Tony was also a Life Member of the Hudson Valley Volunteer Fireman's Assoc., having served as 2nd, 1st and President of the 16 counties. Tony also coordinated the patrolling firemen for the Annual March of Dimes Mothers' March.

After moving to Florida in 1993, Tony helped to organize the Citizen's Observer Program (VCops) for the Palm Bay Police Dept and served as it's coordinator until he retired in 2012.

Tony served as Vice President of TRIAD, was a member of South SALT, RSVP, a Charter member of FL Administrators of Volunteers in Government, member of the Brevard Assoc. of Volunteer Managers, and a volunteer with the State Comptroller's Office of Banking and Finance. He also graduated from the first State Attorney's Citizen's Academy held in Palm Bay. Tony was also a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, Palm Bay Lodge. Tony received countless awards throughout his 70 years of community service, but for him, it was always about faith, family and service.

He was a member of the St. Francis Church in Newburgh as well as a very active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Palm Bay where he was President of the CSOM, and an Usher.

Tony was also a Life Member of the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center, and Treasurer and President of the Palm Bay Italian American Society.

Tony is survived by children, Donna, husband Gary, Dominick and Dori; grandchildren, Dawn, Christian, wife Meg, Gabriel, wife Adele, Jeremiah, wife Crystal, Nick, wife Jodi and Christopher; great- grandchildren, Brittany, Gideon, Eliza, Zoe, Marley and Raven; sister, Mary Moder, husband Harvey, and children; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers, Dominick, Giro, Mario and Victor.

Public viewing will be at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care, 950 Malabar Rd. SE, Palm Bay, 724-2224, on Friday, June 13th, from 2 - 4 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held June 14th, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1425 Miller St., Palm Bay, 727-1565. Please share memories and sign guestbook at www.afcfcare.com.