Anthony J. Liotta

Anthony (Tony) Liotta, 89, of Farmingdale, NY passed away on Monday, May 2, 2022.  He was 89 years old. Tony was born and raised in Rosebank, Staten Island. He was the son of Pasquale and Domenica Liotta and the brother of Josephine, Antoinette, Joseph, Vincent and Isadore. He was a star athlete during the four years he attended New Dorp High School, actively participating in Baseball, Basketball and Football. He was a die-hard NY Yankee fan and dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. That dream was never realized but he came close.

Tony enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict and served as a “Radio man” on the USS Des Moines. The Navy had a traveling baseball team and Tony was chosen to try out.  He was put up against Whitey Ford. He did good but not good enough. So, it was back to the ship and “dot, dot, dash”. 

After he completed his four years in the US Navy, Tony joined the New York City Fire Department.  He was proud of his profession as a firefighter. His first assignment was to Engine Company 18 on 10th Street in the West Village. Later, he went to Engine 306 in Bayside, Queens. He considered himself one of the luckiest men alive because he got up every day to go to a job he loved, working side by side with his “brothers”.  

In 1963, he married Janet, from Farmingdale. Together, they raised four children: Mary Katherine, Carol Ann, John and Thomas. Tony was the dearest Dad. He gave so much. He introduced the family to camping and long fun packed road trips---one was a three-week cross-country trip in a 1967 Ford station wagon towing a “pop up” camper. He coached Little League teams and showed up at everyone’s game to cheer and support. He gave us rich and unforgettable experiences.

Through the years, Tony persisted in getting his college degree and finally graduated from Hofstra University in 1976. He became active in the Hofstra Alumni group and served on the founding Board of the HOFSTRA PRIDE. His association with Hofstra nurtured his fierce dedication and support of the Hofstra Basketball Team. Until three years ago, when Parkinson’s Disease impacted his mobility, he NEVER missed a game. Inclement weather was never an obstacle to attending home games. He occasionally traveled for “away games” and listened on the radio or watched on TV when he couldn’t do that. In 2011, Tony became a “father-in-law”; He was delighted! Carol Ann married John Crespo and John became a Hofstra B Ball fanatic, as well. It was a match made in heaven----for more than the happy couple.  

Tony always has been committed to family; both immediate and extended. Everyone’s welfare was his concern. It is in that spirit, we ask in lieu of flowers please make a donation to one of the charitable organizations listed below.   

PKD Foundation - Polycystic Kidney Disease

https://support.pkdcure.org/give/319374/#!/donation/checkout
 

NTSAD - National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association - Allie & Katie Buryk Research Fund

https://www.ntsad.org/index.php/allie-katie-buryk-research-fund

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