Anton J. Suhrada Rotterdam — Anton J. Suhrada, a few months shy of his 82nd birthday, p a s s e d i n t o God’s arms on Sept. 24, 2008, after a short illness. “Tony” was born November 30, 1926, in Long Island City, NY, the son of his late, loving parents, Anton E. and Hilda Suhrada. At the age of four, Tony moved to Schenectady with his parents to his home in Bellevue on Turner Ave. He graduated from Mont Pleasant Technical where he was “Best Dressed” and “Glamour Boy” of the class of January ’45. He was an accomplished trumpeter, both in school and later in the Army regimental orchestra. He joined the United States Army in January, 1945 and served in the Pacific Theater. After the war, Tony was in Korea during the occupation and achieved the rank of technical sergeant. Back stateside, the GI Bill allowed Tony to attend Champlain College in Plattsburgh. He then graduated from Rensselaer Polytechn i c I n s t i t u t e with a degree in mechanical engineering. Anton’s dedication to national defense began with his work on Project Hermes for Dr. Porter at the GE Malta rocket test site, where he attained top secret security clearance. His involvement in this phase of national security was something he didn’t discuss until his final years, and his friends and family were somewhat suprised at his role in the ICBM program during its infancy. After marrying the former Mary Cimino in 1951, Tony chose to pursue his career in national defense such that he would need to travel less. A dedicated family man who put his family far above job advancement, he joined the Watervliet Arsenal, where he had a fruitful 37 year career in management. He tended bar Saturday nights at the Edgewood R e s t a u r a n t f o r h i s s i s - ter–in–law, Rose, for years as well. His retirement in 1988 lasted only a year and at age 62, he began his “fun” career working with his son, Joe, in the candy business, which he did actively until he fell ill recently. He was the gentleman stocking the trays, and taking the inventory behind the counter at Uncle Sam’s Candy. His co–workers miss him terribly because he worked so hard to make everyone’s day special. Tony was deeply faithful to Jesus and his Catholic Church and was director of the Bishop’s Appeal at Saint Gabriel’s The Archangel Parish for 40 years, keeping a promise to Father Joseph Honan to direct those annual efforts to the end of his life. His work there paved the way for the good people of the parish to give millions to the needy, the hungry and the poor. This was a testament to his selflessness and devotion to humanity. Many remember Tony following up on a pledge, or working in the church lobby after mass. He was an usher, and was the former president and member of the parish council at Saint Gabriel’s as well. He was a Republican Committeeman, the treasurer of his son’s campaign and a volunteer for numerous causes and charities. He did his work as quietly as possible so as to heed the admonition of the Lord to give alms secretly before God, not publicly. He is survived by his former wife, Mary L. Fahy, who was a friend throughout life to the end; and three loving sons, Paul Suhrada (Kathy), Tony, and Joe (Joanne) Suhrada. He was predeceased by his angelic daughter, Sharon, who he lost when she was 12. He finally gets to be with her again which was his deepest wish. He was very proud of his grandson, Christopher Suhrada of Alexandria, VA; and he has a tremendous family of brothers and sisters–in–law, nieces, nephews and many loving friends. Although an only child, Tony gained a family of 16 brothers and sisters through marriage to Mary. They and their kids loved “Uncle Tony” for his basic kindness and gentleness to all living things, great and small. His little kitty, Nala, will now reside with loved ones, missing Tony as much as we all will. Tony is at the big reunion in Heaven, with Sharon, Mama, Papa, Ma, Pa, Rose, Tony, Steve, Al, Madge, Lefty and Wimpy. Now we all have to work a little harder to live good lives because of the example he set. The words we are looking for are, “Thank you, Tony!“ Calling hours will be held Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the D e M a r c o – S t o n e F u n e r a l Home, 1605 Helderberg Avenue, Rotterdam. Services will take place Monday at 8 a.m. from the De-Marco–Stone Funeral Home, thence to Saint Gabriel’s Church, Hamburg St., at 9 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Saint John’s Cemetery, Schenectady, with military honors. Contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, PO Box 4261, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Funeral arrangements are by the R.J. DeLuccia Funeral Home. 1605 Helderberg Ave. Schenectady • 355-5770
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September 26, 2008, 7:00am
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My sincere condolences have been sent to Joe and his family ... losing a parent isn't easy - unfortunately it seems to be "the season" for that around here
My deepest sympathy to the entire Suhrada family. God bless.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
JS has my prayers as well I read it too and I see he was from Bellevue and somehow went to St Gabriells church which is nice and a good church in town. I thought Suhrada was from out of town but I see he is from here so I have been wrong all along here if he went to Saint G's church all that time
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All our thoughts and prayers are with the Suhrada family.
