Anthony Amelio Casella

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Anthony "Tony" Casella, 87 of Spring
Hill, Florida. On January 13th after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's and dementia, he left
his loving wife Debbie and devoted family who were by his side throughout his Parkinson's
journey and his transition into his next chapter. He was a long-time resident of Pittsfield,
Ma. until he moved to Florida in 1983. Tony is the son of the late Anthony A. Casella and
Stacia (Waryjasz) Casella. Tony was born in Pittsfield on June 11, 1937, a birthday he was
proud to later share with his grandson, Joe. He attended Pittsfield Public Schools,
graduating in 1956 from Pittsfield High School where he played football until he left to work
after school with his father at Casella Texaco. Tony was the owner of Casella Auto Body
from 1966 until he moved to Florida.
Tony was a true adventurist who loved riding rollercoasters, the bigger and faster the better!
He enjoyed hunting and going on hunting trips to Vermont with his friends when he was
living in Massachusetts. He enjoyed taking his family on Pontoosuc Lake for fishing and
water skiing with his gold-colored boat. He enjoyed bowling, which was a family affair,
joining leagues with his parents, sister Dee, and his wife at the time Carol. Tony loved stock
car racing, naming his first car the #1, after his son Mark, racing for years at Lebanon Valley
Speed Way in NY.
Tony was an avid dirt bike rider and snowmobiler, his favorite sled was the Chaparral, going
on trips with family and friends from his home on Daytona Avenue. He raced snowmobiles
in the Berkshire County and Eastern NY circuits, most frequently in East Greenbush.
Once he relocated to Florida, Tony worked for Sun RV and Register RV, where he met his
wife, until he retired. After retiring, he found himself to be restless, so he opened his own
business, Affordable Home & Property Maintenance from 2005 until 2008. Still working at
the age of 70, he went to work for family friends, Keith & Vicki Geelen at Hernando Door &
Window until he finally officially retired at the age of 80. Customers were impressed to see
a man his age doing such a physical job! He was a prideful man and still being able to do
this physical work was important to him. He would say it was that strong Italian blood!
In his spare time Tony enjoyed going boating and fishing with his close friend Dave "Smitty"
Smith leaving for the Gulf of Mexico by way of Crystal River. Tony loved being behind the
wheel of anything with a motor and was an enthusiastic NASCAR fan, supporting his
favorite driver, UPS car #88 Dale Jarrett. Tony continued his love for stock car racing even
racing his own car, #76, decked out in red, white & blue. He raced a Thunderbird and then
changed to a Gran Torino, racing at various tracks in Florida, Citrus County Speedway,
Ocala Speedway, and Sunshine Speedway. Feeling the itch to continue to ride anything
with a motor, Tony was an ATV rider up until the age of 75, riding in Croom ATV Park until he
broke 8 ribs in a crash. Convincing him it was time to give it up took earnest effort!
Tony was a devoted volunteer for several years for the Alzheimer's Family Organization,
winning the" Rose DePetrillo Volunteer of the Year Award" in 2019, something he was
immensely proud of. Aside from all the wonderful adventures Tony experienced in his life,
his family was his pride and joy. Everything centered around family and friends. When he
and his wife Debbie married on January 13, 2008, 17 years to the day of his passing, it was a
family affair. The entire family and friends departed for a cruise together to celebrate. One
of several cruises he would enjoy in his life.
There were numerous game nights, holidays, and get togethers for fun centered around
family, attending concerts, comedy clubs and races. These gatherings would usually
include Italian food and always baked goods or sweets (his favorites). Tony will be
genuinely missed, and his absence has created a huge void for his family.
Tony is survived by his loving wife, Deborah Fitch-Casella, his son, Mark Casella (Deborah),
daughters Kathleen Winters (Patrick), Elizabeth Powanda (John), Kimberly Walsh, all of
Spring Hill, and Brian McGivern of Rockmart, Georgia. Tony also leaves behind his
grandchildren, Heather Downing (Chet) of Spring Hill, Crystal Meyers (Ryan)of Clearwater,
Meghan Wills of Padstow Heights, Australia, Joseph Powanda (Amanda) of Washington,
DC, Jayden, Amarianna, Keely, Gabriel, Willow McGivern of Rockmart, Georgia and Gina
and Brianna McGivern of Clearwater, Fl. He also leaves behind his great grandchildren
Emma Winters, Patrick Pochel, Jeremy Newman, Layla Paulsson, Alena Downing, Chase
Paulsson, and Liam Meyers as well as his sister Dolores Daly of Clearwater who he was
remarkably close to and his first wife and friend, Carol Pomeroy of Spring Hill as well as his
devoted Chihuahua, Rainey.
A Celebration of Life for Anthony Casella will be held at Brewer & Sons Funeral Home, 280
Mariner Blvd, Spring Hill, FL on Saturday, February 1st, 2025, at 2 p.m. for visitation with a service at 3 pm.
In leu of flowers, donations may be made specifically to HPH Hospice at
www.chaptershealth.org in memory of Tony..