Tony Pisula

TONY PISULA Not too many of the Las Vegas old timers from the 1950's era are still around. Now, one of the last icons of that era is gone. Tony Pisula, known as "T.P." to his friends, passed away Jan. 24, 2009, at the Nathan Adelson Hospice. He was 86. Tony was born Jan. 11, 1923, in New Castle, Pa. His mother, Maria Lingua, and his father, Dominic Pezzullo (later changed to Pisula) both immigrated from Italy through Ellis Island. Tony had four sisters, Phyllis Pisula, Teresa Natale, Josephine Pagley and Francis DeCarbo; and two brothers, Tommy Pisula and Patsy Pisula, all of whom predeceased him. His neighborhood was poor and tough. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard, fought in World War II and served in the fleet where the peace treaty between the United States and Japan was signed. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Feb. 7, 1948, he married Millie Popow and they had two daughters, Kathy and Gail. The real adventure began when Tony moved his family to Las Vegas. At that time, Las Vegas was more of an idea than a place. Imagine piling your wife and daughters into your 1955 Pontiac, loading up the U-Haul and driving thousands of miles cross country to what seemed like another planet. As the scenery changes from the lush countryside of Pennsylvania to the desert of Las Vegas, Gail and Kathy fight more and more and Millie speaks less and less. Tony's career in Las Vegas was varied and exciting. Over the years, he went from dealer at the old Silver Slipper to casino manager at the old Aladdin Hotel, and everything in between at numerous hotels on the Strip. Tony retired in 2005 from the Tropicana, where he was an executive casino host. More important than Tony's career success in Las Vegas, was the impact he had on his family and everyone he met. First and foremost, family came first. Friends were a close second. He was always ready and willing to help anyone who needed it, with no thought of anything in return. There are many people in Las Vegas and around the country who would not be where they are today without Tony. Tony was a Knight of Merit in the Knights of Malta since 1980, a member of the American Legion and Italian American Club. In addition to his wife, Millie, Tony leaves his daughter, Kathy Pisula Waring (husband, Jim); two granddaughters, Jessica and Kelly; and numerous extended family. He will be missed by all who knew him. There will be a memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Palm Mortuary-Green Valley, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. The family asks that all memorials be in the form of donations to Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas.