NORWICH – Anthony V. ‘Tony’ DeFonzo, 74, of Norwich, passed away unexpectedly early Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at Wilson Regional Medical Center in Johnson City.
Tony was born June 16, 1933 in Jersey Shore, Pa., the son of Benedetto and Angeline (Sabatella) DeFonzo.  He graduated from Jersey Shore High School in 1953, and then joined the U.S. Army.  He served from June 1953 to May 1955, including 18 months in Austria.
After his military service, he moved to Syracuse, where he was employed by General Electric.  On Aug. 31, 1957 he married Bertha Schibeci at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Norwich.  They lived in Syracuse before moving to Norwich, where Tony was employed by Norwich Shoe Company.  In 1964, Tony joined Norwich Pharmacal Co, which later became Procter and Gamble, where he worked as a supervisor in the North Norwich plant until his retirement in 1994.
Tony was a member of the Quarter Century Club at P&G, and a life member of the Norwich Elks Club #1222.  An active church member of St. Bartholomew’s Church, Tony was a member of the Holy Name Society, and served as a Eucharistic Minister and as Head Usher, and was a third degree knight of the Knights of Columbus.
Tony was well respected in the community and leaves behind many friends.
Above all, Tony will be remembered as a true family man.
Besides his family and his church, Tony enjoyed the outdoors and long walks, watching sports, especially Penn State football, and listening to his wife’s beautiful singing and organ and piano playing.  Summers spent at Chenango Lake with his family brought him particular pleasure.
Tony is survived by his wife of fifty years, Bertha; his sons Wayne DeFonzo and his wife, Susan of Hopewell Junction, and Richard DeFonzo of New York City; two sisters, Caroline ‘Bess’ Bamonte and husband Anthony of Syracuse and Elizabeth Fowler of Des Plaines, Ill.; two brothers, Frank DeFonzo and wife Marland of Montoursville, Pa. and Ben DeFonzo and his wife, Elena of Island Heights, N.J., and a brother-in-law, A. James Schibeci and his wife Patricia of Norwich.  Also surviving are his aunts and uncles, Angelina and Joseph Natoli and Anthony and Theresa Zieno, several nieces and nephews.  Tony was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Joseph and Joseph’s wife Zoë.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, with Rev. Alfred Bebel officiating.  Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.  Mary Ann Bodiot will lead a Rosary service at 4:30 p.m. Friday.  Burial will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery at a later date.
Contributions in Tony’s memory may be made to the Msgr. Festa Scholarship Fund at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Silver St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Condolences may be sent to Tony’s family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at:  www.wilsonfh.com.