Anthony (Tony) Falagario, 66, of Damariscotta, passed away peacefully in his sleep early on the morning of Feb. 12 surrounded by his devoted family.
His life’s journey began on Dec. 24, 1946, in Oak Ridge, Tenn., as the son of Peter and Clara Falagario. During his first few years, the family shared time with maternal relatives in Tennessee and paternal relatives in Astoria, N.Y., eventually settling in Farmingdale, Long Island, N.Y.
Tony attended schools in Farmingdale, N.Y. where he enjoyed extra activities such as track and field, sports and music programs. The enjoyment of playing a trumpet carried on beyond his high school years.
Upon graduating from high school, Tony began studies at Suffolk Community College, toward a degree in Marine Biology. His plans changed and he decided to join the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Grand Canyon and worked on drone helicopters. The ship traveled to, and was stationed in, the port of Naples, Italy for several months. The opportunity to both see the country and interact with the people was a cherished experience for him. When he was off duty, he would be found playing trumpet in a band along with some other sailors at a local restaurant in Naples.
On April 18, 1968, after nine years as sweethearts, beginning in junior high, Tony and Linda A. Posillico were married at St. Killian’s Church in their hometown of Farmingdale, N.Y.
Soon after, Tony was called upon to serve his country during the Vietnam War as a crew member on river boat patrols in the Mekong Delta. Upon completion of his military duty, Tony returned safely home and began to work at Long Island Oyster Farms in Oyster Bay, N.Y. The company expanded and moved to Northport, N.Y. where oysters were grown in the warm water effluent of a LILCO plant.
Over the course of the next seven years, Tony and Linda began to raise their family and moved to coastal Maine where Tony was manager for a new oyster hatchery at Moxie Cove in Round Pond. This was an exciting and challenging event.
In 1980, Tony went to work for Bath Iron Works, and in 1990 was outsourced to Computer Science Corporation as Client Service and Help Desk Manager supporting all computer desktop devices. He so appreciated and respected his team of workers’ commitment to achieving goals.
Always recognizing the importance of working hard, Tony valued life and the importance of time for enjoying life. He decided to retire a little “early” and vowed no regrets at doing so. Those few years gave him countless happy memories, many involving special fishing trips with friends. These trips became even more special as his son, Anthony, joined the group.
Among his greatest joys are family times, including visits with daughter, Donna Marie and her husband, Rich. Watching his granddaughters, Jordan Marie and Olivia grow up, has been a source of heart warming joy and pride. Also cherished, are the many friends and happy times shared together.
Tony was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Lou and Bert Justice; paternal grandparents, Antonio and Palma Falagario; as well as several aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his wife and best friend, Linda; parents, Peter and Clara Falagario; sister, Madeline Pollard and husband David; daughter, Donna Marie Tallurico and husband Richard; son, Anthony Falagario and wife Kerry; granddaughters, Jordan Marie and Olivia Falagario; one sister-in-law; and several nieces and nephews and their children.
Time to visit with the family 5:30-8 p.m., Fri., Feb. 15 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. He will be laid to rest with a graveside service in the spring in the New Harbor Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Full Circle Family Medicine, Attn: Mind/Body Initiative, 68 Chapman St., Damariscotta, ME 04543. Information on the new program will be available soon at their website: www.FullCircleFamilyMedicine.com.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
