Anthony Arno

It is with a heavy heart and unbearable sense of loss that I announce the passing of my husband, Anthony Arno, 84, of Manalapan, NJ on Friday, January 24, 2025. Anthony 'Tony' passed peacefully surrounded by the love of his family. Tony was born October 3, 1940 in Tripoli, Libya during the heart of World War II. In the chaos that ensued, his mother, Lucia Arno, was forced out of Libya to return to her hometown of Castelvetrano, Sicily, where Tony would spend his youth. Life in Sicily was hard and provided little opportunity. So it was with the hope of a new life that Tony, at the age of 15, and his mom boarded the Conte Biancamano in Naples and headed to Ellis Island. In New York, Tony attended High School where his passion for science provided the drive to build his proficiency in English. However, despite his love of learning there was something he loved more...his mom. So he chose to drop out of High School determined, at this young age, to find work and provide for his mother. Together with his mom they slowly furnished an apartment and saved until they bought 'Una Casa di Due Famiglie'. His life began to change for the better after this achievement. He found a permanent job in the fashion industry and, as fate would have it, one day while cashing his paycheck at a bank he met a secretary, and they immediately fell in love. Not only did I fall in love with Tony but my family did as well. Tony was loving, kind, respectful and hard-working. His motto was 'I can't complain' and he never did no matter the obstacle life threw at him. Tony did what was necessary to accomplish his goals of having a family and owning the home they lived in. This only child now had 2 brothers, a dad, a second mom and a loving wife. Ours was a relationship based on love, mutual respect and shared values. Above all things, Tony always shared that his greatest accomplishment was his family. After we were married, Tony would eventually leave his job in the fashion industry and find his true life calling, construction. A self-taught carpenter, electrician and plumber, his thirst for learning propelled him to a long and successful career from which he would eventually retire. Throughout this time, he also had 4 daughters (yes, he truly was a saint with a heart of gold) all of whom graduated college and became hard-working, independent adults. His heart of gold equally matched his hands of gold. As his daughters got married and moved into homes of their own he would teach his son-in-laws all he knew and they conversely would give him all the credit for what they know. Every home Tony, his children or grandchildren live in, has a touch of his craft in them; A constant reminder of his passion for working with his hands. He truly lived the American dream. Tony and I were married 59 years and enjoyed all the simple things in life: going for a walk, watching a movie, cooking and sharing a meal, and spending time with our family. He was the definition of a selfless human being. He was always there for everyone around him with no questions asked. He helped others and never wanted or expected anything in return. He was a loving husband, son, father and friend. His happiest moments were spent with his daughters, son-in-laws and 7 grandchildren. He took pride in every one of their accomplishments and never missed an opportunity to tell his family that 'he loved them more'. He leaves behind his loving wife, Claire Arno, our children Lucille (Tom), Ann, Michele (Frank), and Sally (XiMing); and his grandchildren Justin (Drew), Brianna (Brian), Adam, Robert, Sarah, and Scarlett; his brother-in-law's Joseph (Chris), and Michael (Diane); and his nieces and nephews Christine (Lauren), Lisa (Michael) and Joey (Jessica). He was preceded in death by his mother Lucia; his in-laws Sal and Anna; and his grandson Luca. We get final say this time...we love you more In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to St. Jude https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/DIY/Celebrate?px=8699606&pg=personal&fr_id=133398 A Funeral service will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday at St. Thomas More Church located at 186 Gordons Corner Road Manalapan, New Jersey 07726. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Michael Hegarty & John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals and Cremation Service, 3377 US Highway 9, Old Bridge, New Jersey. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.HegartyScaliaFuneralHome.com

Anthony Arno

October 3, 1940 - January 24, 2025