Anthony M. Totilo

Anthony Michael Totilo, of Stamford, CT., died peacefully in his sleep on January 25, 2022. He was 92 years old. Anthony – known to all as Tony - was born May 29, 1929 in the Springdale area of Stamford, CT. As a young boy, he worked as a caddy at nearby Woodway Country Club in Darien, CT. Tony’s passion for playing golf began playing alongside his two older brothers - Nick and Joe. Throughout his lifetime, Tony enjoyed playing golf with his children, grandsons, and nephews, even up through this past fall of 2021. Tony was passionate about music. At 13 years old, he began accordion & piano lessons in Stamford. During his high school years, Tony also became an accomplished Tuba player in the marching band. By the time he graduated high school in 1947, he had spent significant time traveling back and forth to the Broadway area of New York City, where he engaged in private music lessons and coursework in music theory and performance at Hunter’s College. During this time, Tony’s keen ability to transpose orchestral arrangements opened doors for him to collaborate with many Broadway composers. November 8, 1950, Tony enlisted in the U.S. Navy Band, initially stationed at the U.S. Naval Academy in Bainbridge, Maryland. During his Navy career, Tony was stationed in Cuba, playing accordion, piano, and tuba at Naval Officer’s events and USO shows. Most notably, he was part of the Navy Band Ensemble that played for the commissioning of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. After serving in the U.S, Navy, Tony was honorably discharged on August 24, 1954, returning to Stamford, CT., where he continued to play his accordion at high society social events, and teaching private piano lessons. Concurrently, he completed training at New York School of Upholstery. His passion for this trade was seen in his exemplary craftsmanship, which paved the way to his primary career as an upholsterer for over 65 years in Stamford, CT. As a young man, Tony enjoyed singing in a Stamford chorale group, where he met and fell in love with his best friend, Philomena Russo. They married November 24, 1956 and shared 63 years of marriage that modeled a loving companionship and deep devotion to their family. Tony will be long remembered for his welcoming smile, kindness, humility, patience, dedication, and excellence in all areas of life. He always made time to serve, most notably as organist at St. Gabriel’s Church in Stamford, CT. for over 25 years, and most recently as a Eucharistic minister. Tony was pre-deceased by his loving wife, Philomena (December 14, 2019) and is survived by four children; Kenneth Totilo & his wife, Krisztina; Richard Totilo & his wife, Toni; Peter Totilo & his wife, Michelle; and Susan Totilo. He is also survived by five grandsons: Max Totilo & his wife, Alida; Jake Totilo; Daniel Totilo; Anthony Totilo; and Alex Totilo. Tony was a devoted brother to six siblings, survived by two sisters Connie D’Agostino and Natalie Sorbo and was pre-deceased by brothers Nicholas Totilo (Darien, CT) and Joseph Totilo (Stamford, CT) and younger sisters Mary Gabriele and Angie Duetere (both from Stamford, CT,). A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at St. Gabriel’s Church, 914 Newfield Ave. Stamford, CT. Following the mass, a funeral procession will commence for interment, with military honors, at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, 25 Camp Ave. Darien, CT. As an option, please join us for the funeral Mass ZOOM at: https://zoom.us/j/98449800770?pwd=NHFtQXFiQ3FubjZxUDJaanZadWN4UT09 Covid-19 guidelines for funeral attendance require that all participants wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. Given the sensitivity surrounding Covid-19, the family fully understands and respects the individual choice to attend vs. not attend. Condolences can also be shared with the family on the website of Lacerenza Funeral Home at www.lacerenzafh.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Tony’s memory to the Woodway Scholarship Fund. Donations can be mailed to: Woodway Country Club, c/o Rosa Perez, 540 Hoyt Street, Darien, CT. 06820.