NORWICH – Anthony J. Villani, 85, passed away Tuesday, April 09, 2013. He was at home in Troy, NY with his wife of 58 years, June R. (Gluck) Villani at his side. Anthony was born on September 17, 1927 in Middletown, NY to his (deceased) parents Grace (Barletta) Villani and Michael Villani of Middletown, NY.
He is survived by his eldest son, Mark Villani of Syracuse, NY; his wife Regina and grandchildren Benjamin, Monique and Reece; His daughter Louann Villani of Averill Park, her husband Stuart Nippes and grandchildren Hannah and Noah Glanville; and youngest son Michael Villani of Bloomingdale, NY, his wife Robin and grandchildren Antonio, Lorenzo and Raechel. Of his siblings, he is survived by his brother Alfred Villani and (deceased) wife Isabele of Canandaigua, NY and sister, Ann Ruggiero and husband John of Norwalk, CT; and predeceased sister, Isabelle Benjamin and husband Roy. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
While attending Middletown High School, he was drafted during WWII to serve in the U.S. Army; was honorably discharged and returned home to finish his primary education. He was married to June R. Gluck in Monticello, NY on November 20, 1954. Starting his family in Monticello, he became a New York State Prison Guard in 1957 and served 30 years before retiring. He moved his family to Norwich, NY in 1973, where he and June purchased and operated Mr. Big’s Drive-In until 1996.
Anthony and June loved to spend time with their family and friends and spent their retirement years traveling and visiting. Anthony was an avid hunter and fisherman; a devote Catholic, he was 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and also served as a Grand Knight. He was a great role model to his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday April 12, 2013 at Wilson Funeral Home, Inc., 68 South Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Bartholomew Church, 73 East Main St., Norwich. Burial will be at St. Aloysius Cemetery Covered Bridge Road, Livingston Manor, NY 12758 on Sunday. A memorial service will be held in Troy, NY at a later date.
Memorial Donations can be made to Albany Medical Center Cancer Unit, Albany Medical Center Foundation 43 New Scotland Avenue, MC 119 Albany, NY 12208 or The Community Hospice Foundation, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home.