Obituary of Anthony Richard Dito

Anthony Richard Dito, 81, passed away Thursday morning, April 21, 2011, in the Monarch Wing at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Funeral services for Tony will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 2, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. Visitation with the family will be held 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, who have been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials in Tony's name are being designated or to Hospice of Jasper County Monarch Wing. Burial will be in the Veteran's Section at Newton Union Cemetery. Tony, the son of Salvatore and Emily (Pelati) Dito, was born February 8, 1930, in New York City, NY. He was graduated from a high school in New York. Tony had served his country with the US Air Force, during the Korean Conflict. On May 3, 1952, Tony was united in marriage with Phyllis Oswalt in Newton. He was employed as a Technical Publication Manager for Northrop Grumman, retiring in 1990. Tony devoted his life to his family, and was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and had served on the Newton Fire Department. He enjoyed baseball, the New York Yankees, racquetball, music by Frank Sinatra and dancing to the Big Bands. Tony was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Louis Gazzola, Angelo Gazzola, Ralph Dito and Thomas Dito; and a sister Marie Calabrese. Those left to honor Tony's memory include his wife Phyllis; his daughter Debra (Salvatore) Gallo of Arnold, Maryland; his sons: Michael (Debra) Dito of Port Jefferson Station, Long Island, NY, Jeffrey (Laura) Dito of Mooresville, NC, Joseph (Linda) Dito of Massapequa Park, Long Island, NY and Phillip (Danette) Dito of Sound Beach, Long Island, NY; his six grandsons: Christopher, Anthony, Thomas, Joseph, Michael and Carter; his sister Julia Palmieri of Old Saybrook, CT; many nieces and nephews; and his many friends.