Anthony Joseph "Tony" Viola Sr.

Anthony Joseph Viola died Thursday, January 18, 2024 in Morristown, New Jersey.
He was 95.
Tony was born on November 6, 1928 to Vita and Pancrazio Viola in Mount Kisco, NY, but grew up in Manhattan and Queens.
At 17, he enlisted in the United States Army, stationed on the Aleution Islands, serving honorably from late 1945 through 1947.
He married high school sweetheart Theresa Natalizio in April, 1951. They first resided in Jackson Heights, Queens (where they had their first child), before moving in early 1955 to East Northport, NY. Tony continued to live in that house until his passing.
Tony enjoyed success in the automobile business, first as a mechanic, then moving to an executive position with the UK-based Rootes Group. Following that, working for Volkswagen Worldwide, he was part of the team responsible for setting up VW dealerships throughout North America. He also lobbied, getting legislation passed in Pennsylvania that opened the state for more equitable competition among auto manufacturers.
Later, he ran dealerships. He would spend most of his career as Vice President and Sales Manager of Bristol Motors, an independent VW dealer on Manhattan's Upper East Side. From the mid-eighties until 1992, he worked as General Manager of Smithtown Toyota on Long Island, while also active in the town's Rotary Club.
A busy retirement was spilt between his New York home and a cabin on Spectacle Pond in Island Pond, Vermont. There, he fished and read avidly, enjoyed cross country skiing and travelled--all while playing host to dear friends and a growing extended family.
At age 70, he began a second career as a sculptor, creating countless works for loved ones.
He was pre-deceased by his wife Theresa Viola, his parents, sister Martha Wellings and her husband, Donald, and their son Michael.
Tony is survived by sons Anthony J. Viola Jr. and his wife Filippa; Peter C. Viola and his wife Rose Anello; daughter Nancy Theresa Viola and her former husband Edward S. Wilk, and sister Gloria Viola and her family.
Also surviving him are seven beloved grandchildren: Marissa and her husband Christopher, Alexandra and her husband Daniel, Melissa "Mimi" and her husband Austin, Natalie and her fiancé Cameron, Emily and her husband Bob, Andrew and Matthew and his girlfriend Carly, and a great-grandson named for him, Owen Anthony.
Additional survivors include cherished nieces, nephews and their families, as well as many friends and former business colleagues.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, February 10, 2024, 10:00 AM at St. Vincent de Paul RC Church 250 Bebout Ave., Stirling, NJ. Interment will follow at St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery, Stirling. Arrangements are under the direction of the Valley Memorial Funeral Home 1012 Valley Road, Gillette, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Anthony's name to any of the following organizations:
Huntington Human Services Institute Inc.
Attention: Home Delivered Meals Program
423 Park Avenue
Huntington, NY 11743
631.351.3253
www.huntingtonny.gov/Seniors
Huntington Human Services Institute Inc.
Attention: EISEP
423 Park Avenue
Huntington, NY 11743
631.351.3253
www.huntingtonny.gov/Seniors
Vermont Land Trust
Regional Office
Bluffside Farm
171 Scott Farm Road
Newport, VT 05855
802.748.6089
https://www.vlt.org
Northport VA Medical Center
79 Middleville Road
Northport, NY 11768
631.261.4400
www.northport.va.gov
St. Vincent de Paul RC Church
250 Bebout Ave.
Stirling, NJ 07980
www.stvincentchurch.org
For More information and online condolences visit valleymemorialfuneralhome.net.