Anthony J. "Tony" Zonca

Anthony J. "Tony" Zonca, 84, of Muhlenberg Township, passed away Monday, April 15, 2024, at Laureldale Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was the devoted spouse of Blanche E. "Banny" (Konsko) Zonca. They were set to commemorate 63 incredible years together since their wedding on April 29, 1961.
Born in Lansford, PA., he was the son of the late Anthony A. and Mary (Cerimele) Zonca.
He was a star three-sport athlete and graduate of Lansford High School and attended East Carolina. Tony served our nation proudly and valiantly in the US Marine's during 1962-1964.
Tony was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Roman Catholic Church, Reading.
Tony worked 38 years in the newspaper business including 35 of those for the Reading Eagle/Times. He was a sportswriter who covered the Phillies, Eagles, 76ers, Penn State football and all of the local college football and basketball teams. Tony also covered national sports events including the LPGA Tour, the US Open (tennis) and the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four. One of the high points of Tony's career is when he broke the story nationally that Muhammed Ali, who was training in Deer Lake, PA, was coming out retirement in 1980. He was also a Sunday Sports Editor, sports columnist, movie critic and writing coach.
In his retirement he continued his love of sports and journalism by working for the Reading Phillies. Tony would write game stories and features for the team's website and would conduct postgame interviews.
Later this month Tony will be inducted into his fourth sports Pennsylvania Hall of Fame.
Besides his professional involvement, sports was a central part of Tony and Banny's life. Tony was a volunteer coach for youth sports going back to Rising Sun Athletic Association in the 1970s and 1980s. Tony also spent many years as a volunteer coach, scout and recruiter for Alvernia, Reading High School and Muhlenberg High School basketball programs. Tony mentored countless young athletes and coaches. It was not uncommon for Tony and Banny to have players over to their house for pizza parties or to buy the team a meal before a big game.
Tony had many interests. He was an avid reader and loved to do crossword puzzles. He also loved to sing and was a nimble dancer of the polka and jitterbug. He loved to pass along stories from his sports writing days to what it was like to grow up in the Coal Region in the 1950s. Tony loved vacationing in Wildwood, NJ every year and enthusiastically looked forward to their trips to California to see their only granddaughter play softball, basketball and complete her black belt in taekwondo.
A true fighter with a giant spirit to match, Tony was a loving family man who will be missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Anthony R. "Tony", husband of Lori Zonca, Kutztown, and Chris, husband of Joyce Zonca, Piedmont, CA; his brother, David, husband of Amal Zonca, Apex, NC and father to Sarah. The apple of his eye was his granddaughter, Catie, and her four-legged friend, Lou Lou.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, April 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 1018 N. 8th St, Reading, PA 19604. Burial to follow at Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends may visit Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Reading High Basketball Squires Club 1513 Durwood Court, Reading, PA, 19609 or St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 1018 N. 8th St, Reading, PA 19604. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.