In Memory of

Anthony

DeAngelis

Obituary for Anthony DeAngelis

Anthony DeAngelis, 87 - better known as Tony, or Mr. D - died peacefully on Jan. 18, 2018, at his home in Manlius, NY.

Tony was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1930, when it was a haven more for immigrants than artists. His parents were Julius and Josephine DeAngelis from south-central Italy, who raised seven kids, including Tony, their youngest.

Tony attended the High School of Performing Arts in New York before it became LaGuardia, the “Fame” high school. He made a living playing saxophone in dance bands and Broadway shows until he was blessed to find a musical mentor who taught him to play a new instrument, the bassoon. That turned out to be Tony’s ticket to a full music scholarship at Syracuse University, where he developed the musical chops to become the principal bassoonist of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. It was also the ticket to another huge part of Tony’s life - meeting his wife Patricia Ann Peluso, a.k.a. Patty, with whom he had three daughters. The two have been a dynamic duo of music in Syracuse, with Tony playing in the Symphony for 40 years, teaching music at Lyncourt School for 54 years, teaching and mentoring many young woodwind and brass players, and Pat crafting a stellar performance and teaching career in piano. Their mutual love of music culminated in joint SAMMY awards in 2017 for Lifetime Achievement Music Educators of the Year.

Tony made a big difference in the lives of a great many people, including his family, many dear friends, dozens of colleagues, and countless former music students who credit him with having a lasting influence on their lives both as performers and as people. More than one person has called Tony a second dad.

Tony also loved golf, keeping a meticulously manicured lawn, visiting the race track with his eldest daughter and her family, cheering for SU and the Dodgers, and gardening. His prize tomatoes wound up each year in a sauce that he parsed out to family, friends and neighbors like pieces of gold.

Tony is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia DeAngelis; his daughters, Andrea (Thomas Potter), Tori and Maria; and two grandchildren, Anthony Potter and Olivia DeAngelis.

Calling hours will be held Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. A musical celebration of Tony’s life will be held in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Symphoria; to the Lyncourt Community Band, a group of adult musicians Tony conducted until Fall 2017; or to the Carrie Lazarus Fund for Extraordinary Talent.