Anthony Alfred Faella Sr.
Born on February 21, 1933 in Poughkeepsie, New YorkPassed May 12, 2025, in Palm Bay, Florida
Anthony “Tony” Alfred Faella Sr. lived a remarkable 92 years, marked by unwavering devotion to family, faith, and hard work. Born on February 21, 1933, in Poughkeepsie, New York, during the heart of the Great Depression, Tony was shaped early on by the values of resilience and commitment. As a young boy, he worked in his family’s store and cherished the time spent on his grandparents’ apple orchard, especially riding their horse, Preacher. These humble beginnings sowed the seeds of his strong work ethic and deep-rooted love for family.
Tony proudly served his country as a U.S. Army veteran during the Korean War. It was during a military leave visit to the hospital to see his father that he met the love of his life, Maryann. When she teasingly refused his invitation for a date because of his handlebar mustache, Tony returned the next day clean-shaven—and the rest was history. The two shared a devoted marriage that spanned 50 years until Maryann’s passing in 2004. Together, they built a beautiful family, raising five children: Alfred Robert “Bumper,” Emery Michael, Anthony Jr., Faith Ann, and Marcus Peter.
After the war, Tony returned home and founded a family-based painting contracting business, which he ran with great pride and success for over six decades. Even into retirement, he remained actively involved, embodying the perseverance and leadership he was so well known for.
In 1973, Tony relocated his family to Melbourne, Florida, seeking warmer weather and proximity to extended family. The move not only brought them comfort but also deepened Tony’s spiritual journey. A devout Catholic, Tony began his faith life as an altar server and eventually became a Fourth Degree Knight. In his later years, he could be found ushering at church, donating to charitable causes like St. Vincent de Paul, and helping organize Thanksgiving meals for those in need through Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Joseph’s parishes. His faith wasn’t just personal—it was lived in service, generosity, and compassion.
Tony’s personality was larger than life. Fiercely loyal, unshakably determined, and unapologetically fiery—often affectionately compared to Donald Duck—he took pride in everything he did, including his signature perfectly groomed hair. His mottos—“Where there’s a will, there’s a way” and “Never give up”—guided him through every challenge. If you were lucky enough to be his friend, you had a friend for life.
He was admired for his strength, his ability to grow through hardship, and his boundless love for his ever-growing family. Tony enjoyed hunting, fishing, coin collecting, and, in later years, cooking. But more than anything, he loved simply being with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His legacy lives on through them: Toni Ann, Mark, Christopher, Anthony III, Justin, Josh, John, Nathan, Kevin—and the next generation, Natylie, Chase, Johnny, Jasmine, Harrison, Mason, Shyanne, Kevin, Madison, Julian, Nicholas, and Cadence.
In his final years, Tony faced health challenges with dignity and strength, enduring COPD, dementia, and ultimately congestive heart and cardio-renal failure. He was lovingly cared for by his children and grandchildren, and on May 12, 2025, he passed peacefully at Palm Bay Hospital, surrounded by the very people who were the center of his world.
Visitation will be on Tuesday May 20th from 10am to 11am at St Joseph Catholic Church followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at 11am. Military Honors will follow at St Joseph Cemetery.
Tony’s life was a testament to love, service, perseverance, and faith. Though he is no longer with us, his voice echoes in our hearts:
“Never give up. Don’t take crap from anybody. You can do anything you put your mind to.”
Rest in peace, Tony. You were, and always will be, deeply loved.
