Anthony C. Verdi

1934 - 2025

Anthony Clarence Verdi passed away peacefully after a short illness on Sunday May 18, 2025. Tony was born in Buffalo, New York to Stephen Verdi and Lidia DeMaria on November 30, 1934. In 1949 When Tony's father became the attorney for the Republican National Committee they moved to Washington DC. Tony worked as an elevator operator in the Capitol building during his teenage years. After attending St. Anselm's Abbey School, Tony went on to attend Catholic University and spent his summers doing theater at Saint Michael's College in Winooski Vermont. This is where he fell in love with Vermont. However, he soon realized acting was not his calling. In 1958 Tony was drafted into the Army and served at the Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. It was at Walter Reed where he helped pioneer medical educational television in color, which was very innovative at the time. He developed programming including surgical operations and medical procedures for training future surgeons and medical professionals. When Tony left the Army, he took his love of television to Chicago where he directed a local game show - Everything is Relative as well as the Kupp's Show and the Sheri Lewis show. He transitioned from entertainment television to news when Tony began directing Floyd Kalber's 10 o'clock news on WMAQ. This was the top-rated news show in Chicago at the time. In 1977 Tony was tapped to be the Director of NBC Nightly News with David Brinkley and then Tom Brokaw. Tony also Directed many of NBC's special news programs including the State of the Union and Meet the Press. He directed more State of the Union addresses than any other television director and still holds that record today. In April of 2000, he and his wife Peggy retired to their beloved Manchester Center, Vermont. They loved visiting their favorite restaurants in Manchester weekly and developed many special friendships over the years through these delicious culinary adventures. Tony is survived by his wife Peggy, and his children from his first marriage to Virginia Kelsey Verdi, Christopher Verdi married to Marylee Verdi of New London, New Hampshire and Patti Verdi Tait of Hanover, Maryland. Tony was also blessed to have four grandchildren: William Verdi, Samuel Verdi, Morgan Tait and Andrew Tait. Tony was known for his sense of humor and commitment to his staff and crew. Tony will be missed by all who knew him. There will be a celebration of life at: Brewster & Shea Funeral Home 34 Park Place in Manchester VT Friday May 30th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.