Smaldino

Anthony Michael Smaldino Sr., of Poland, Ohio, passed away with his family by his side at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown, on May 31, 2022, following a cardiac arrest 10 days prior.

Anthony “Tony” lived an incredible life. He was the youngest of four children and grew up on the east side of Youngstown. His father, Dominic Smaldino, was an Italian immigrant who came to this country by himself from Bari, Italy, as a 16-year old. Tony’s mother, Rose Armeni, was the daughter of Italian immigrants and grew up on the same street that she raised her family on, Bennington Avenue.

At the “other end” of Bennington, Tony met the love of his life, the beloved Joanne “Josie” Tavolario. They were childhood sweethearts and married when Tony was 20 years old and Josie 21. They moved to Poland, Ohio, to raise their family and, shortly after, Tony started working in the insurance industry. His true passions, though, were music, food, sports, learning, and of course his big, beautiful family.

Tony was a talented musician. At 16, he began giving accordion lessons at a music center in Youngstown, and throughout his career he played in The Ralph Ranalli Italian Band on weekends. Many people know Tony, Josie and their oldest daughter, Christine, as owners and operators of Sunrise Deli and Market in Boardman, Ohio. Instead of cooking incredible pasta meals for just their family, they fed hundreds of families for close to 20 years, long before their signature “carry out” approach was popular. Christmas Eve was their specialty; they would serve literally hundreds of families until they ran out of food by early evening.

Tony spent endless hours on the golf course coaching others, including two of his grandsons, who went on to play collegiate golf. He was also passionate about Poland Bulldog Friday night football and baseball. His grandchildren and their friends could always count on “Pops” to be cheering them on from the stands, as he never missed a game and was a true inspiration for the entire team.

Tony was a lifelong learner and lover of knowledge, which made him a fantastic mentor to so many, including and foremost his 10 grandchildren. The most recent book he read was “Everybody Always” by Bob Goff, which exemplifies the loving nature of his spirit. Tony leaves us with a lifetime of love and stories.

Tony was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne, who passed away in 2010.

He leaves behind four adult children, Dr. Tony Smaldino Jr. and his wife, Karen Smaldino, of Butler, and their four children, Alyssa (partner Gerald Guevarra), Jenna (husband Matt Hyland and their children Nora and Leo), Anthony (fiancée Erin Schmidt), and Dominique; Christine McQuown and her husband, Jerry McQuown, of Poland, Ohio, and their two children, Jerrod (wife Maggie and their children Rocco and Stella) and Jason; Gina Chiaro and her husband, Dr. John Chiaro, of New Springfield, Ohio, and their two children, Marissa and Tony; and Maria Spencer and her husband, Michael Spencer, of Poland, Ohio, and their two children, Jonah and Olivia.

Four children, 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and an abundance of family and friends: Tony blessed so many for so long with his passions for life, learning, teaching and giving. To live fully, to love deeply, to leave a legacy — It’s safe to say he did it all.

SMALDINO — Friends of Anthony Michael Smaldino Sr., who died Tuesday, May 31, 2002, will be received from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at HIGGINS-REARDON FUNERAL HOME, 2726 Center Road, Youngstown, Ohio.

A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Parish Center, 2726 Center Road, Youngstown, Ohio.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.