We are so happy you have come to join us for this special event. Your mission is to have a great time, meet new people and explore the four states where Tony has lived over his illustrious lifetime. Each of the four states has a special display in the house. Complete your four-state passport and you are entered to win one of four prizes! When you complete your passport, put it in the striped box.
State 1, Brooklyn New York, City Boy Tony
You can find Brooklyn in the formal dining room by the front door.
On October 25, 1934 Anthony Joseph was born to Cesidio (Joe) and Eleanor.
Anthony lived in Brooklyn, NY with his father; older sister, Florida, and his Nona/Grandmother Archangela (Cesidio’s Mother).
Frances was a friend of the family, Anthony’s Godmother and much later became his step-mother.
St. Nicholas Catholic Church and Public Schools played a crucial role. Anthony was a Boy Scout who met in the basement of a Baptist church and would sometimes visit the beaches of Long Island taking long flights of stairs down to enjoy campfires on the beach.
State 2, West Haven Connecticut, Family Man Tony
In 1955 Tony left Brooklyn to live with the Bonadies Family related by marriage to Cesidio’s sister, Bettina. Tony was a little older than the two Bonadies boys Joe and Robert, they were like brothers.
At that time, Tony got a job at the Grand Union grocery store where Lynne Quesnel worked as a cashier. He was in charge of the uniform closet and used the key to meet her.
Six years her senior, Tony had to wait until Lynne graduated from High School before they could marry and buy a starter home on Ivy Street. The street runs directly away from Long Island Sound and up a steep hill. From the top of the hill is a stunning view of the beach and break waters.
Lynne and Tony adopted a puppy who became a beloved family pet for many years, Dusty. About three years later they had a baby girl, Rosellen.
State 3, Londonderry, Vermont, Mountain Man Tony
Both sides of Lynne’s family had property in Vermont. Many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins were in Middlebury Vermont, Closer to Connecticut in Southern VT, Her Aunt and Uncle had a log cabin on Landgrove Road in Londonderry. As a wedding present, Lynne gave Tony an Airstream Trailer and parked it on a piece of land behind that log cabin. It became a cherished retreat and hunting camp.
For a brief time, Tony, Lynne and Rosellen Lived on Judge Street in Brooklyn very near St. Nicholas Church and Sharon Street, but they quickly decided not to raise their family in the big city so they moved to the hunting camp full-time.
Always industrious, Tony designed and built an entire building around the trailer adding two bedrooms and a living/dining room. They would later pull the trailer out, close in the walls and add bathrooms and a kitchen. Much later, they moved the entire house onto a foundation including a two-car garage.
A few years later they purchased a gas-station in Peru, VT about 500 ft from the base lodge of Bromely Ski Mountain. They named it Tony’s Place. Tony added an addition that would become Lynne’s Early Attic and mini store.
State 4, Cape Coral, Florida, Sunny Man Tony
Those long winters finally seemed too long. On a vacation to Florida, Lynne and Tony chose an undeveloped lot in Cape Coral. Tony designed and built the entire custom house on a canal.
So Much happened in Florida! Lynne and Tony Celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a cruise. Rosellen Graduated from FSU and later, UCF. Lynne’s parents, Rose and Ernest celebrated their 50th anniversary. Rosellen met and married Matt in 1990 and they had two children. Keira Lynne was born in 1994 and Kenneth (Kenny) Joseph was born in 1995. The family had many vacations together, and celebrated many birthdays and school and Scouting achievements.
When Lynne and Tony moved to Shelly Drive in Grand Island they made many new friends. Tony became a Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus and later a Faithful Navigator.
Today they live in Hacienda Village, a 55+ Community in Winter Springs, FL where they enjoy long walks in the neighborhood, bombing around in the golf cart, and swimming in the community pool.
It’s Party Time!
Tony’s Song
Brooklyn was your starting place,
Fast living soon set the pace,
fastest box car driver in this town.Shipped off to Big Joe’s and bros,
A change that helped you grow,
made you the man we all know.Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony,
It’s your birthday, you are the man
Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony,
It’s your birthday, you are the manLynne was your favorite dear,
you taught her to hunt with no fear,
and rumor has it, she’s the better shot than you!
Before you found that Florida sun,
where you and family could have some fun,
running Tony’s place, yeah, Tony’s place, (it’s true).Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony,
It’s your birthday, you are the man
Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony,
It’s your birthday, you are the manTired of all that winter snow,
Cape Coral seemed the place to go,
With work so busy, your hands were never still.
Another Kraus CardFound a girl in a fridge one day,
now that’s a tale to make folks say,
“Tony, always brings a thrill!”Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony,
It’s your birthday, you are the man
Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony,
It’s your birthday, you are the manTony, Tony, Tony, what a ride,
With laughs and joy always by your side.
Today’s your day, so raise a cheer,
For Tony, legend, 90 years
Passport: Did anything strike you as interesting for funny during the tour?
- Deer head looking right at us
- What year did you get your ear ring? (The year Kenny was born, 1995)
- Petting a deer through the fence in one photo, then gutting a deer in the next photo
- Large crab claws, just my size!
- The Beam Wiskey Car decanter
- The Christmas girls were my favorite!
- I did see some suspect women in a pictured labled “naughty boy”
- Brooklyn roots - also mine!
- The picture of Tony petting a deer, next to a picture of Tony with a dead deer
- Our life as been a wonderful journey
- I’m a naughty boy so I lifted the paper in Vermont - OH WOW, 10 lovely ladies showing their titties!!
- All of the displays were interesting, like the antique tools
- The Peek-a-boo was a great surprise
- Loved the picture of building the gas station in Vermont!
Birthday Wishes for Tony
- 90 healthy years more! Happy Birthday
- Enjoy your great day!
- I hope you continue to live life to the fullest each and every day
- Tony, you are the man. Build a home around a trailer and put it on a foundation. Quite a feat.
- Got bless you Tony and give you more happy years with your loving family.
- Good health and Happy Birthday
- You’ve lived a full, wonderful life. May you have many more years of joy and adventure!
- To many more, The love of my life
- Enjoy your special day and thanks for sharing your journey.
- Be happy every day. Thank good for a long life.
- Tony, Happy Brithday. You are an inspiration for all!
- You seem like you’re leading a full and blessed life. We love getting to live near Rosellen and Matt. Credit to you on a great daughter.