Antonio "Tony" Del Vecchio

Anthony Del Vecchio (née Antonio), known as "Tony" to family and friends, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of January 7, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. His life story is one of exploration, travel, learning, service, community, and immigration from Italy. The eldest of two children, Anthony was born on October 23, 1946, in Zungoli, Avellino, in the region of Campania, Italy, to Pasquale Del Vecchio and Maria Raffa Del Vecchio. He was predeceased by his younger sister, Francesca ("Franca"), who passed away in Riccione, Italy. Anthony is survived by his beloved wife, Rosalba; his son Julian and daughter-in-law Ashley; a nephew; and numerous cousins in the United States, Italy, and Australia.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Anthony traveled to the United States-first for a brief trip to visit his grandfather, uncle, and extended family in Scarsdale, New York. He later returned as an engineering student, immersing himself in the study of English at the Berlitz School of Languages, validating his Italian degree at Manhattan College, and eventually settling in Yonkers, New York, after marrying the love of his life, Rosalba.

Anthony and Rosalba met and fell in love during her senior year at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. They were married shortly after her graduation at the Immaculate Conception Chapel at the Mount-a place that remained deeply meaningful to them throughout their lives together.

On September 19 of this year, the couple would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary at Mount Saint Vincent, which over the years became their "home away from home." They returned often to re-center, pray, walk the campus overlooking the Hudson River, and participate in activities that brought them peace and quiet from the pace of daily life.

A man of few words, Anthony spoke with purpose-often in Italian to make a point-and sometimes with gentle, ironic humor. Known for his generosity to friends and neighbors, he was cheerful, energetic, and overflowing with sincere love for others. For Anthony, "love thy neighbor" was not an ideal, but a way of life. He was a devoted parishioner of the Church of St. Joseph in Bronxville for over 47 years. In his early years in Yonkers, he volunteered as a Big Brother and was formally recognized for his "dedicated service on behalf of Yonkers youth." Anthony was passionate about geography, world events, music-especially opera-museums, and sports. When Julian was growing up, Anthony proudly served as both a soccer coach and referee. A lifelong learner, he spent his retirement years reading The New York Times thoroughly each day, along with books on U.S. politics and leadership.

Anthony retired from Westchester County Airport in 2012. Aviation was another lifelong passion, one he shared closely with Julian, strengthening their bond as father and son. Over the course of his 40-year career, Anthony spearheaded electrical projects throughout New York State and beyond. He worked with Raffa Electric, a family-owned business in Rockland County; with the City of Yonkers as a supervising engineer on a federal project in the Runyon Heights neighborhood; and later with the Batus–Saks Fifth Avenue Distribution Center, where he served as Engineering Department Supervisor from 1986 until the company relocated to Maryland. Anthony approached every project with precision and an unwavering commitment to safety and function. He believed engineering was not just about structures and systems, but about people.

In his personal life, Anthony found joy in his family, in welcoming and helping newcomers to his neighborhood, in home projects, cooking, and gardening-especially cultivating his fig trees and zucchini flowers, which he joyfully shared with friends and neighbors. Anthony never missed an opportunity to travel. Whenever and wherever he could fly to experience a different culture and way of life, he did-particularly to Spanish-speaking countries, a language he also learned to speak. He made friends easily wherever he went and even helped sponsor and support the U.S. citizenship of a young man from Ecuador. Together with his family, Anthony traveled extensively throughout Europe, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean. In the United States, Arizona-and particularly the city of Scottsdale-became his second home, and his love for the state was contagious.

Anthony will be remembered as an extraordinary husband, a devoted and loving father, and a loyal, generous, and intelligent friend.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in memory of Anthony to:

Montefiore Moses Brain–Stroke Research or Montefiore Moses Caregiver Support