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BORN
1948
DIED
2016
FUNERAL HOME
Anthony Vara Obituary
Wappingers Falls - Anthony Vara, 68, resident of Wappingers Falls, NY, entered into rest Monday, December 26, 2016 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was surrounded by his family and known as the man with the Golden Voice.
Anthony Vara was born November 25, 1948 in the Bronx. He was the son of the late Alfred and Rita Vara. He married the love of his life, Mary Ann Amitrano on April 14, 1973 at Mount Carmel Church in the Bronx.
Mr. Vara served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in May of 1974. He worked as a credit collector for many years, most recently for Castle Oil in Mamaroneck, until his retirement. His true passion was music. He started out singing Doo Wop on the corner of Belmont Ave and Cambrelling Ave in the Bronx as a teenager. He went on to sing with several groups throughout the years: "Destinaires", "Ovation", "Frank Terris Orchestra" and "Randy and the Rainbows". Anthony Vara appeared on PBS for his part in the Doo Wop 50 albums. He was even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After his retirement, he continued to sing and travel for numerous performances.
Mr. Vara was a loving husband, father and a friend to many. Anthony was also a member of St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls.
Anthony is survived by his wife, Mary Ann of Wappingers Falls; his son, Anthony Vara, Jr. and his wife, Gabriella of Perryville, MD ; daughter, Victoria Mylod and her husband, Patrick of Poughkeepsie; brother, Alfred Vara and wife Carolyn, of Sidney Center; grandchildren, Emma Rose Mylod and Dianna Rose Vara; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, December 29, 2016 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, December 30, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Clinton Street in Wappingers Falls. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Wappingers Falls.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Anthony's name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, www.cancer.org.
For directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Vara
Sponsored by Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home.
Betty Brown
December 20, 2020
Still thinking of you my friend!!
Betty Brown
December 20, 2019
Still missing you my friend!!
LINDA MARGARONE
January 3, 2017
You will be missed by a great deal of people Our condolences go to Mary Ann Vickki and Tony. He was a great man who loved my son as much as I loved his. We will never forget all the wonderful memories that we had laughing at parties and at the field during little league games Thanking for being so Special We will miss you Linda and Michael
Larry D'Angelo
January 1, 2017
So sorry to hear the news. Another great voice in the Choir. You were always so kind and so fun, especially to a new guy in the biz. RIP Larry D'Angelo-BASS-Deke and The Blazers
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Angela Dorio- Minotti
December 31, 2016
I am so very sorry...Sending my deepest condolences to you and your family...May Anthony RIP...I have fond memories of Anthony from back in the day with Dennis and Joe...So happy to have known him...
Timothy Caldwell
December 30, 2016
Miss Mary Ann ,
We are saddened by the loss of a wonderful husband , loving father ,and friend .
The heavens have gained another angel .
Our deepest condolences to you and your family in this difficult time.
Tim , Susanne,Coleen,Zack, Connor Caldwell .
Marie Caiola
December 29, 2016
Dear Maryann & family, I am so sorry to hear of Anthony's passing. There are so many memories I have. He will be missed so much. I'm sure he is singing in heaven. RIP my friend! Love Marie
Darlene Rivera
December 29, 2016
Tony was an amazing person always smiling and singing through the office. Always said hello. We were all so saddened by his passing. On behalf of your Castle Oil friends: "Tony we will miss you beyond words could ever describe RIP. We will always remember you"
Pat & Eugene DePalma
December 29, 2016
Anthony, you and your beautiful voice will greatly be missed. You are forever in our hearts. You'll now be singing in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with MaryAnn,Vikki and Anthony.
Addie Hiland
December 29, 2016
Dear Mary Ann, You're in our thoughts every step of the way. Addie & Vinnie
betty brown
December 29, 2016
He was an fb friend..miss him...my condolences to his family!!
Tracy Way
December 29, 2016
Vikki, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I have so many fond memories of him and the infinite amount of patience he had for us as teenagers. He was much too young to be taken from you all, but you are so fortunate to have had even a moment in time with such a wonderful guy. My love goes out to you, your mom, your brother, and everyone else whose life your dad touched. Love, Tracy (Yerks) Way
Susan Ryan
December 29, 2016
Mary Ann-
I just heard about your husband and wanted to send you my deepest condolences. I can only hope that the comfort of many happy memories and the love of family and friends help to ease your sadness. I think about you and your kindness to me and my family often. May God's love surround you during your most difficult days.
Sincerely,
Susan Ryan
Carol Lanari
December 29, 2016
So sorry for your loss. God Bless your Family.
Louis Carrasquillo
December 28, 2016
To the Vara family we send our sincere & deepest condolences to all.. We were not only coworkers @ castle ..we were friends!!! Our Heavenly Father has taken an angel to sing by his side... Gone to soon but never forgotten.. RIP Tony..
Carol Lanari
December 28, 2016
So sorry for your loss. God Bless your Family.
Philip DelJuidice
December 28, 2016
Dearest Maryann and family
I am saddened and heartbroken to hear of Anthony's passing. I've known him since about 15 years old, and will always cherish our friendship and his amazing talent. I talk about him all the time whenever I hear someone sing! Though the years and the miles may have separated us, he was and will forever remain in my heart always. My thoughts are with you now at his time.
Godspeed my friend, rest easy, and I'm confident that you are adding that beautiful voice to a group in Heaven!
Always,
Phil DelJuidice
Maria Ambrosio
December 28, 2016
Dear Maryann and family,
We are so saddened to hear of Anthony's passing.
There are no words.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Tony will always be in your heart.
Fondly,
Maria, Dennis and Vincent Ambrosio
Paula Palomino
December 28, 2016
Heaven has gained another great man, you will be missed but your memory will live on. Sing with Angels Anthony!
CHARLIE RUSSO
December 28, 2016
YOU MY FRIEND WILL BE MISSED LIKE NO OTHER YOU SURE LEFT A MARK IN THIS WORLD AND I KNOW YOU WILL LEAVE ONE IN THE NEXT YOU AS I ALWAYS SAID WHERE ONE OF THE BEST SINGERS I HAVE EVER KNOWN AS A FRIEND THE BEST R.I.P. ANTHONY THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN MY CAREER YOU WHERE ALWAYS THERE FOR ME I WILL MISS YOU EVERY DAY
Maria Polo
December 28, 2016
May he have eternal peace in the arms of His loving Father. Tony, you will always be remembered with a smile on your face and a song in your heart
Lewis La Medica
December 28, 2016
I had the privilege of working together for many years in the Frank Terris Orchestras. Tony was always a class act whose voice, knowledge of the business, and entertaining was always a pleasure to behold. He was a Gentleman of the first order and I will never forget his contribution to this business.
My deepest condolences to his family. My prayers are with you.
Heaven's All Star band just got so much better. God Bless you brother and Rest In Peace.
Your old pal,
Lewis LaMedica
Roy Oram
December 28, 2016
I had the Honor of knowing Anthony and he along with The Rainbows were in studio guests on my radio program. Anthony was a funny guy and had a wonderful smile. I am saddened by his loss.
Richard & Christina Denu
December 28, 2016
Our thoughts & prayers are with you all at this time. We may not have seen each other a lot but when we were together with family there was always laughter, singing & joy. He will be greatly missed by all. RIP
Richie Heaning
December 28, 2016
Dear Family-were very sorry over his passing,may he rest in peace & God bless him-Sincerely-Eileen & Bumper(Bump)LI NY
Elaina Denu
December 28, 2016
Our hearts and prayers are with you all at this time and always.
We had the pleasure not only to have known him, but shared precious, unforgettable moments together. The best of all, the birth of Dianna Rose Vara. We were all there together to welcome her into this world. Dianna loved her Poppy.
We are proud to call you La Familgia. The Angel's are rejoicing just having that Golden voice added to their choir!
Riposare in pace, mi amici!
Frank Alba
December 28, 2016
Dear Mary Ann,
My deepest and heart felt condolences to you and your family.For all the teenage years I was lucky enough to have had Anthony as a friend I will always cherish those memories.
With sympathy and love,
Frankie Alba
John & Jeanette Monda
December 27, 2016
We are saddened to hear of Anthonys passing. He was a wonderful person and we will always remember him fondly. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
We were the best
Dennis Dellabate
December 27, 2016
i am deeply saddened by my long time friend Tony.
Many great memories together singing with The Destinaires/Destiny. Did basic training together in the Military. I will miss you dearly Tony and will always keep you in my thoughts. Im sure I will see you again and we will be singing together just like we were.....
Angela Dorio- Minotti
December 27, 2016
Anthony... You may be gone...but you will live on in all the hearts that loved you...Thank you for all the music...I was so happy to have known you...and so happy to have gotten reunited with you on social media...My heart goes out to the family at this very sad time...May you rest in peace...Gone but never forgotten...
December 27, 2016
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Mollie Siegel
December 27, 2016
So very sorry for your loss. May he RIP. Prayers for your family.
Paul Coccagna
December 27, 2016
Sincere condolences to the Vara family.
Chance Purcell
December 27, 2016
Our thought and prayers go out you and your family in this time of sorrow. We wish you peace as you go through this difficult time.
Anthony Traina
December 27, 2016
You will be truly missed buddy. God bless Mary Ann. Vikki & Anthony jr.
Denise Justice
December 27, 2016
So sorry to hear the sad news.
Liz Ramos
December 27, 2016
to Marryann my god ican not belive it iam so sorry you have lost so much now anthny too my prayers are with you and your family may god give you the streangh to see this through my thoughts and heart are with you love your friend liz
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