Anthony Frances Scalone

Anthony F. (Tony) Scalone, 96, passed away May 10, 2007 at his home in Gilbert, AZ after a courageous struggle with lung cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents Jiccomo Camillo Scalone and Anna DeFrancisco Scalone; four brothers; two sisters; and wife, Dorothy May Penn Scalone. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Raye Dodge Scalone; children, Toni Penn Scalone (John) Kunzman of Blue Springs, MO, John Douglas (Jean) Scalone of LaMesa, CA, Lynna Dodge (Bruce) Burton of Longview, TX, and Carol Dodge (Bill) Laycock of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Also surviving in Binghamton, NY are sisters Pat Silvanic and Jo Marie Lyon and brother, Francis Scalone. Tony was born July 26, 1910 in Bar Harbor, ME, the 2nd of 10 children. He spent his early years in Maine, before moving to Binghamton, NY where he finished high school. His early interest in planes and aviation took him to Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK, beginning his lifetime profession as a pilot. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force before the U.S. entered World War II, but finished his service as a Captain of the U.S. Army Air Corp, flying B-24s in the European Theatre. He had transitioned to the B-29 at the time the war ended. After the war, he operated crop dusting companies in Oklahoma and Texas before moving to Mesa, AZ in 1970. He and Raye moved to Gilbert in 1989. Tony was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and will be long remembered for his sense of humor, delicious cooking, boundless generosity and an avid love of golf. Services will be held May 16, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., at the Freestone Park Ward, 360 N. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85234. Visitation one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the Perpetual Education Fund of the LDS Church, c/o Bishop Paul A. Ward, 1517 E. Barbarito, Gilbert, AZ 85234, or to Hospice of the Valley, East Office, 777 W. Southern, Suite 301, Bldg. C, Mesa, AZ 85210. Sign the Guest Book at eastvalleytribune.com
This obituary was originally published in the East Valley Tribune.