Anthony Taormina

TAORMINA (DENNY) – Anthony James, 81, Belmont, died Oct. 4, 2007, at LaurelWood Care Center from natural causes. Born June 21, 1926, son of Charles and Agatha (Bundy) Denny of Johnstown. Preceded in death by his parents; sons, James R. and Daniel J. Taormina; and sister, Ann Rizzo (Denny). Survived by his loving wife of 60 years, the former Shirley R. Wagner; sons, Charles A., Akron, Ohio, and Thomas L., married to the former Nancy M. Scherer, Wexford; and grandchildren, Angela L. (Taormina), wife of Jeffery Deaner, Amy L., Anthony J. and Nancy J. Taormina. Also survived by daughter-in-law, Wendy Taormina, Colorado Springs, Colo.; brothers, Samuel (Mary Ann) Denny, Johnstown, and Charles (Joan) Denny, Mechanicsburg; and sister, Mary Trice, Mechanicsburg. Anthony served bravely for two years with the U.S. Navy Seabees in the South Pacific during World War II, where he was awarded the Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon and Pacific Theater Ribbon. He was a graduate of Johnstown High School, and worked loyally for 40 years for the Conemaugh and Black Lick Railroad in Johnstown, where he started as a trackman and worked up to general foreman, after many years as treasurer, organizer, and activist for the United Steel Workers Union, as well as local Democratic Party. During his retirement he enjoyed being with his wife, sons and grandchildren and gardening, antique collecting and achieved many years as an expert craftsman with building and servicing wall and grandfather clocks. His many loves included his family and home, cars and equipment, clock making, sports, politics, pets and maintaining, with his wife, their Belmont home that he helped to design and build in earlier years. He was a lifelong Roman Catholic and member of St. Benedict Catholic Church. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at The Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland, where vigil service will be held. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Benedict Catholic Church. Committal service will take place at Richland Cemetery.