Anthony F. Crescenzi, a resident of East Syracuse, entered into rest on July 15^th, 2011 at the age of 93.  He passed away following a short illness after residing in James Square nursing home for nearly five years.  Following graduation from St Vincent’s high school Tony attended Niagara University and graduated in 1939. Shortly after graduation he began his career with the Federal government in Ithaca, New York where he was employed by the Ordnance Department.  His familiarity with armored vehicles resulted in his assignment to the 14^th Armored Division during World War II.  The 14^th Armored Division was assigned to the 7^th and 3^rd Armies in the European theater of operations.  He was a combat veteran and participated in the Battle of Hatten-Rittershoffen, the Battle of the Bulge and numerous other operations.  The 14^th armored Division, nicknamed “Liberators”, freed in excess of 200,000 allied prisoners of war and holocaust survivors.  Upon returning to civilian life he resumed his career with the Federal government and retired from the Social Security Administration after more than thirty three years of Federal service.  He was predeceased by his wife of forty years, the former Lucille Raulli, mother of his four children, his parents Rose Casale and Cesare Crescenzi and his sister Josephine Luton.  Tony was a member of the American Legion, enjoyed golf, woodworking and Syracuse University athletics.  He was a voracious reader and world traveler, visiting family in Italy on numerous occasions.

He is survived by his second wife of nearly 25 years, the former Beatrice Hemmer Clark of Syracuse. He was a wonderful father to his children, Mrs. Roslyn Adair (Richard) of Albany, NY,  Anthony C. Crescenzi (Vicki) of Baldwinsville, NY,  Eileen Newton of Liverpool, NY, Mrs. Caralyn Wichers (David) of Ellicott City, Maryland.  Also surviving are his sister Adleen Barry of Syracuse, NY, sister-in-law Eileen McMahon of Liverpool, NY, and ten grandchildren:  Dr.Jennifer (Bryon Haney), John Anthony and Heather Adair, Alexandra (Eric Gernant) and Anthony Douglas Crescenzi, Karah and Timothy Newton, Elena, Anthony and Jonathan Wichers,  great grandson Luke Haney, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church.

Services  10:00 am Tuesday at Gang Memorial Chapel 10:30 am in Blessed Sacrament Church. Entombment in St. Mary’s Mausoleum, Dewitt. Calling hours are Monday 5-8 pm at the funeral home 104 Fordham Rd. at Teall Ave.

Contributions in his honor may be made to the General Scholarship fund of Niagara University. Please send to Niagara University, NU NY, 14109.  

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ALLIE DELANEY CIEPLY

   Posted Sun July 17, 2011

Roslyn, I recently found pictures of us in our 1st Communion dresses. Fond memories of your mom inviting me to stay for "pizza" pie. Never heard of it before. My mom only made apple or pumpkin. It sure smelled good! I'm sure you have many fond memories of you times w/ your dad. He appears to have been a wonderful man and I am sorry for your loss.

Bonnie and Sam Laquidari

   Posted Sun July 17, 2011

Our thoughts are with you. Tony was one of the greatest guys I ever had the pleasure of working with.

Pat & Carl Hemmer

   Posted Sun July 17, 2011

To Tony's family: We want to express our deep sympathy to all of you for the loss of your Dad. We've known Tony through his nearly quarter century marriage with our sister, Bea, and he was always ready to welcome us to his home and table. Despite the loss of his presence with us, we're glad that his final days were quick, relatively free of pain, and supported by all of you who cared for him. The Lord who gave him life is now giving him a life without end.

Marcie, Tom, and Brenna O''Reilly

   Posted Sun July 17, 2011

What a generous, funny, and entertaining guy! We will miss his stories and his humor. We're so happy we got to visit with him over New Years!

Debbie Clark and the late Gary Clark

   Posted Mon July 18, 2011

Condolences to Bea Crescenzi and the Crescenzi children. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Chip Pierce

   Posted Mon July 18, 2011

sorry we can't be there for the services. He had a long and fruitful life. Our sympathy to all of you.

Chip and Baiba Pierce

Andrew, Kim, Alexandra and Madalyn White

   Posted Mon July 18, 2011

Our sincere condolences to Aunt Bea Crescenzi, and to Uncle Tony''s children and family. We will always remember him as a fun-loving, gregarious, larger-than-life and most generous man, and uncle. Always so welcoming, and caring, Uncle Tony was a principled man, but forever endearing. Upon visiting Germany back in 1988, he and my Aunt Bea made a point to visit me while I was stationed there, and to be the first in the familiy to welcome Kim into the evergrowing White-Hemmer family, congratulating us on our pending nuptials. He forever will be known as "Cuddles" to my girls. Its'' been a pleasure to be able to call him Uncle these past nearly 25 years. He will be missed.

Clare, CJ, Malcolm, Maura & Maeve Hemmer

   Posted Tue July 19, 2011

Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you. CJ's memories of Tony include
Bea and him coming all the way to CJ's college graduation in Colorado a
few(?) years ago. He was fond of sharing the stories of his travels and
adventures, and we remember him being very devoted to CJ's Aunt Bea. We
share in the sorrow of his passing and pray for comfort for Bea and the rest of his family.

Clare, CJ, Malcolm, Maura & Maeve Hemmer

   Posted Tue July 19, 2011

Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you. CJ''s memories of Tony include
Bea and him coming all the way to CJ''s college graduation in Colorado a
few(?) years ago. He was fond of sharing the stories of his travels and
adventures, and we remember him being very devoted to CJ''s Aunt Bea. We
share in the sorrow of his passing and pray for comfort for Bea and the rest of his family.

Tom and Loretta Clark

   Posted Tue July 19, 2011

Bea, we were very sorry to read of Tony's passing. Tom recalls Tony proudly showing him his various projects in addition to what he had done to the basement on Washburn Drive. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Tom and Loretta Clark, Minoa

Art and Pat Spencer

   Posted Tue July 19, 2011

Tony and Family, we are so sorry to hear of your father's passing. We did not know he was a veteran of WW II and was in the Battle of the Bulge as well as others. What a remarkable life he has had. We all appreciate his service to our country.

We are sorry we cannot be there but you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Art and Pat

Donna and Jeff Sullivan

   Posted Fri July 29, 2011

Roz, Tony, Eileen, Caralyn and Family:

Upon returning from vacation, we just found out about the passing of your Dad.
He was a great guy as we enjoyed many memorable moments with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. The fond memories you have of him will bring that certain subtle smile to each of you and will help you through the times ahead.

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