Obituary For Anthony S. Aquino

Below is the obituary for my father. It ran in the Cincinnati Enquirer two days ago. I appreciate the kind comments that were made here at the blog and elsewhere at the time of my father’s death last month. There is no need to for anyone to repeat those comments. I just wish to offer a more complete account of Tony Aquino’s life. ( Above–Tommy Dorsey. Tony saw Tommy Dorsey and his band perform in Providence in the 1940’s)

Aquino, Anthony Samuel. 80, of Cincinnati, OH, died peacefully March 12, 2011, after a short illness. An award-winning journalist, he was born in Providence, RI, a son of the late Samuel and Mary Grace (Ferraiuolo) Aquino. During his newspaper career, he worked variously as a reporter and copy editor for The Call, Woonsocket, RI, The Providence (RI) Journal-Bulletin, The Worcester (MA) Telegram & The Evening Gazette, and the Pawtuxet Valley Daily Times (RI). He began his career as an editorial assistant with The Reporter Magazine in New York City. He won a first place, general news award, from the New England Associated Press Managing Editors Association while working for The Call. As a freelance writer, he had numerous op ed pieces published in The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Cincinnati Post and The Washington Post. His career included seven years as a senior writer and editor of alumni publications at Xavier University in Cincinnati and creative director at Goldsmith Tregar Company, a Providence advertising agency. He also had his own advertising and public relations company, Communications Plus, in Providence. A Korean War veteran, he served in the U.S. Army for three years and received the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Battle Stars. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for two years. He attended LaSalle Academy in Providence and the University of Rhode Island. Survivors include three sons, Peter D. Aquino of Coventry, John G. (Nadja Wackerling) Aquino of Chicago, and Neil A. (Laura Goldberg) Aquino of Houston; two grandchildren, Melita and Thomas Aquino of Chicago; special friend Carol (Huested) Aquino of Cincinnati; a sister, Mary Dacey of Coventry, RI; a brother, Thomas Aquino of Providence; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Anna J. Minicucci and Annette Andreoli of Rhode Island. A memorial service will be held this summer in Rhode Island. Memorial donations may be made to WOBO-FM, PO Box 338, Owensville, OH 45160; Prospect House, Inc., 682 Hawthorne Ave., Cincinnati, 45205; United Way of Greater Cincinnati, 2400 Reading Road, Cincinnati, 45202, or a veterans’ organization of choice. J.C. Battle & Sons serving the family.

( Below–Rocky Marciano. Tony saw Mr. Marciano fight in the 1940’s)