Anthony V. Izzo

Vito Antonio “Tony” Izzo died peacefully in his Watertown home on May 17, in the company of his loving wife Mary and family.  He was 93 years old.

Tony was born in Watertown, New York, on August 12, 1930, two months after his parents and sisters Mariarosa (Rose) and Carmela Angela (Carm) immigrated to the United States. His only American-born sister, Angelina, was born in 1934.  He was the only son of Elia Luigi “Alec” Izzo and Maria Giuseppa “Josephine” Rosa (Matrone) Izzo of Controne, Italy. He was the grandson of Francesco and Carmela (Salvo) Izzo, and Vito Antonio and Angela (Marchera) Matrone, also of Controne, Italy. 

Tony worked for Sears Roebuck for 30 years until his retirement and previously, for the NY Railroad. He was a member of the Italian American Civic Association, Sons of Italy, and Knights of Columbus for 69 years in service.  He was a regular usher and faithful member of Saint Patrick’s and Saint Anthony’s parishes.  He loved to sing, knew all the jazz standards and crooned weekly in the Islanders Men’s Chorus.  He also loved to tell jokes and play cards, especially Pinochle, Briscola and Scopa. After retiring from Sears in 1990, he could often be seen walking and having breakfast around town with a small group of Italian-American buddies while wearing conspicuously odd hats.  He is likely to be walking and laughing right now with his life-long friend, Peter Fazio.

He is survived by his wife Mary Genieve (Kehoe) Izzo, born November 20, 1937. They married on June 3, 1961. He is also survived by his daughter Lisa Ann Heilpern, son in law Hans and their children, Noelle Josephine and Harrison Andrew. He is also survived by his son Alec Anthony Izzo, daughter in law Giovana and their children, Antonio Giovanni, Angelo Giuseppe, Gabriella Gioia and Alonzo Gianluca. And, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Deedee Delorme Kehoe.  He is survived by nephews and nieces to include: Rebecca, Kelly, Conor and Michael Kehoe, Bonnie Crisp, James Richard and Donald Anthony Pooler, Stephen, Peter and Daniel Schwalm.  He is also survived by many great nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 4pm -6pm at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be held Friday, May 24, 2024, at 9 am at the funeral home followed by a 10 am funeral mass at St. Patrick’s Church. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Church, 123 So. Massey Street, Watertown, NY 13601 be to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Online condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com

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