USCG CMCPO (Ret.) Antone P. De Mello Jr.'s Obituary
Antone P. De Mello, Jr., also known as “Tony De Mello, Jr.” of Estero, FL, passed away on Friday morning April 21, 2023, at the age of 76 after a five-year courageous battle with Metastatic Prostate Cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Tony was born on September 15, 1946, in Astoria, NY. He was the oldest child of the late Antone P. and Annette A. (Desnoyers) De Mello. Tony was married to the love of his life Gale A. Sylvester-De Mello, and they celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary this past January 2nd, 2023. He was predeceased by his daughter, Kathy Lynn De Mello and brothers, Gerald R. De Mello, and Louis M. De Mello. He resided in Somerset and Swansea, MA and Pawtucket, RI before moving to Estero, FL in 2003. Tony received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Bristol Community College, MA.
He is also survived by his loving (Foster) daughter Donna (Michael) Mello-Verdisco of Swansea, MA and Monroe, CT; brother George (Susan) De Mello of East Taunton, MA; sister’s Pauline Sardinha of Somerset, MA; Janice De Mello of Rochester, WA; Louise Carnahan of Somerset, MA; Father and Mother in Law, Frank and Estelle Sylvester of Pawtucket, RI; Sister in Laws, Sandra (Lyman) Hunter and Donna (Frank) Laliberte, numerous nieces and nephews and especially, nieces Kasey (Ryan) O’Keefe of Foxboro, MA and Karly Laliberte of Dorchester, MA. Tony also leaves behind many shipmates and close friends.
Tony was a retired Command Master Chief Petty Officer for the United States Coast Guard. He served a total of thirty years active duty with the Coast Guard and the United States Air Force. While in the US Air Force he served one year in Vietnam. He participated in numerous Special Coast Guard Operations, most notably as the Personal Officer for the 1996 Savannah Olympics Security Task Force. Tony received many awards and commendations from both services and retired on July 1, 2001.
He officiated college and high school basketball, softball, and volleyball. Tony was also an officiant for College Division 1 collegiate basketball and volleyball and amateur sporting events. He was the past President of the Southern Massachusetts Board of Officials and Commissioner for girls’ high school basketball and volleyball. He coached in the Swansea, MA Girl’s Fast Pitch Softball League for six years. Tony was the first coach to lead the travel team “Panthers” to a Massachusetts State ASAJO Title for the twelve and under division. He played softball for many years in the Tiverton, MA Men’s and Scholarship City Slo-Pitch Leagues and was regarded as one of the best players in the area. He was the starting pitcher for the All-Navy Slo-pitch Softball team that finished runner-up to the Air Force in the All Interservice Championship tournament in 1977. He was also the Baseball/Softball Commissioner for the South Gulf Umpires Association.
While residing in Estero, FL, he was a substitute teacher for the Lee School District and was a tutor in the Fort Myers area.
Tony was President of the Cypress Cove at Wildcat Run Condominium Association and Secretary of the Wildcat Run Community Association as well as the Security Chairperson. He served on several committees for the Wildcat Run Golf and Country Club.
Tony’s favorite joys in life were traveling with his best friend and wife Gale, spending time with his family and friends, attending sporting events and having a passion for golf at Wildcat Run and courses around the country.
Cremation will be held at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery, Ft. Myers, FL. A Memorial Mass with Military Honors will be held at Our Lady of Light Church in Estero, FL on May 5th, 2023, at 12:30PM. A reception will immediately follow the ceremony at church and will take place at Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club. Friends and family are invited to join and all are encouraged to dress comfortably in country club casual attire for the reception. Burial will take place on another date.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Pawtucket Country Club, Pawtucket, RI 02861 on June 16th at 12:00PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital in his memory.
To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time please visit Tony's memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign his guestbook.
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