Tony Elia
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Tony Elia
| Tony Elia | |
|---|---|
| File:None on file | |
| Fact File | |
| Birth Date: | February 17, 1917 |
| Family Information | |
| Lineage: | Tony Elia Lineage |
| Parent: | Maria and Nicola Elia |
| Siblings: | Angela Ocello Tom Elia Charlie Elia Rose Modica Mary Elia Sam Elia Angelo Elia |
| Children: | Marie Patchin Anthony Elia II |
Tony was born February 17, 1917 in Norwich, NY to Nicola and Maria Elia. Tony was the youngest of the eight siblings. He attended East Main Street School and the Norwich Junior High through 10th grade, and then began working for his father in the coal business. Tony was the driver of the truck that was used to first take produce to NYC for sale, and then to pick up coal from Pennsylvania mines to be delivered to Norwich for sale by the Elias. He also boxed in his spare time and was affectionately known by his friends as "The Cocoa Kid" due to his skills as a boxer and his dark complexion similar to a black boxer of the same nickname. Tony was also an avid golfer and began his hobby as a caddy at the Canasawacta Country Club when he was young.
He was still working for the family business in 1934 when he met Rose Natoli at a dance in Norwich. Rose was from Oswego, NY but was visiting her sister Frances, who along with her husband John, lived on Birdsall Street and ran John's Hot Dog Stand. Tony and Rose fell in love and were married 1937 in Oswego, NY. The couple had their daughter Marie in November, 1942. He joined the Navy in 1943 and served in the Construction Battalion (Seabee's) in the Philippines through the end of World War II. Tony returned to Norwich to pick up his wife and daughter and then moved to Oswego, NY where he took a job in the machine shop at Armstrong World Industries in Fulton, NY. He would eventually become a Foreman in that department. The couple had their second child in October, 1947, with the birth of their son Anthony, Jr. Tony was always well liked in the Oswego community and was a favorite among Marie and Anthony's friends because he was always willing to spend time with Marie and Anthony and take them and their friends to various functions and activities. Tony was also always willing to take his grandchildren for a visit to Fort Ontario, even after a long day at Armstrong. Tony and Rose were happily married until Rose's death in December, 1972. Tony would later marry Helen Traxlor.
After his retirement from Armstrong, Tony remained very active with his garden, canning pickles, tomatoes, and peppers. He also made wine, did small engine and lawnmower repair, and became a certified maker of golf clubs. Tony loved to golf and was a charter member at the Griffin's Greens club in Oswego and played with his brother Sam every year at Canasawacta's member/guest tournament in Norwich. Tony was a skilled craftsman as well. In addition to remodeling and adding on to his own home he also helped Marie and Anthony over the years in remodeling and building portions of their homes and Anthony's barns. Tony was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 1988, however he recovered through chemotherapy and radiation and lived another 13 years. Despite the cancer, Tony continued to golf and never let it beat him. In his last years, after he knew the cancer had returned, Tony still attended his grandson David's wedding in Chicago and also entertained his whole family at Easter, 2001. His family was always his first priority. Tony passed away on May 13, 2001. He is deeply loved and missed by his family.
Rose Natoli Elia
Rose was born September 9, 1912 in Oswego, NY to Bartolomeo and Maria Natoli. She was the youngest of six children and had three sisters and two brothers. Rose grew up on E. Tenth Street in Oswego. When she became older she often visited her sister Frances in Norwich. Rose met Tony Elia in 1934 at a dance and fell in love with the handsome young man, five years her junior. After a brief period living in Norwich with her sister while Tony served in the Navy, the couple moved to E. Sixth Street in Oswego, near her family. Rose was a loving mother to Marie and Anthony. She was also an excellent cook and a devoted member of St. Joseph's Church in Oswego. Rose passed away on December 11, 1972 and will always be loved and remembered in her family's hearts and minds.
Synopsis of Dates
Tony's Birthday: February 17, 1917
Rose's Birthday: September 9, 1912
Anniversary: 1937
Tony's Death: May 13, 2001
Rose's Death: December 11, 1972
