Anthony Marucci

Anthony Gered Marucci, known as Tony to all, departed his life on earth on August 18, 2018 at Elmwood Manor following a lengthy illness.  He was born in Erie on April 30, 1957, the second of three children born to Frank (“Fussy”) and Eleanor Phillips Marucci, both deceased.

Tony was born and raised in Erie, residing in Millcreek.   Tony was a 1975 graduate of McDowell High School where he played football.  Anyone who knew Tony well recognized that he was a “car guy,” an avid collector, restorer and overall car enthusiast. Tony acquired an extensive knowledge of collector cars from reading all available magazines, following collector auctions like Barrett-Jackson and performing his own car repairs and restorations.  Tony owned, rebuilt and drove muscle cars around town including a bright orange 1970 Chevy Nova SS big block, 1967 Chevy wagon and 1966 Pontiac GTO, and several others over the years.  He acquired the ’66 GTO by flying to California shortly after high school graduation to purchase it, then driving it back to Erie with a broken radio and loud exhaust. During the trip, he ate dried fruit to get home quickly, arriving in Erie on Christmas Eve in a snowstorm.

For most of the 1980s, Tony supported his friends at NHRA drag racing events and enjoyed attending local car shows and national drag racing events. Tony was not brand loyal –he owned Chrysler, Ford and GM vehicles.  He was so knowledgeable about cars that family and friends turned to Tony for advice on how to fix and what to buy.

Tony joined the electrician union apprentice program in 1980, earning his electrical license in 1984.  He worked for a number of local Union Electrical Contractors, working on projects throughout Erie and the tri-state area over the years.  He retired from Local 56 in December 2008.  Tony was a conscientious worker, often firing up the grill on a 4^th of July or Labor Day, cooking the hot dogs and burgers and then leaving the party to oversee an electrical project for a client.  Towards the end of his career, he spent considerable time working on major rewiring projects at Welch’s in North East.

Tony met Geri Birch through a mutual friend in 1980 and married her on May 25, 1984.   Together, they raised two boys.  Tony was a dedicated husband, father and friend and always put his family needs before his own.   Tony’s friends simply needed to call him for his help whether it be electrical, or car related, and he was there without hesitation.  Tony was extremely proud to serve as an assistant coach when both sons played football at J.S. Wilson Middle School in Millcreek, donating his paycheck to the football team.  The boys that he coached fondly referred to him as “Coach Mooch” and would stop in the middle of practice as he approached the field clapping their hands upon his arrival.   Tony’s goal as a coach was to make a positive impact on their lives which he achieved for many of them.   Tony was an avid supporter of both of his boys when they played football and lacrosse at McDowell, even volunteering his time in the concession stand at home games.  He also spent a memorable Christmas Day evening serving as an “emergency” volunteer dishwasher at the City Mission.

In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Anthony Blaise and Philomena Marucci and maternal grandparents Joseph and Angelina DeFonzo Phillips.

Tony is survived by his wife of 34 years and their sons, Anthony Joseph (AJ) and Phillip Francis, (Phil) both of Erie.  He is further survived by his brother Paul (Sandy) of Chicago and sister Catherine (Patrick) Conniff of Kentucky plus nephew Benjamin and niece Eleanor of Kentucky and many other nephews, nieces and cousins in Erie.  He is further survived by his sister-in-law Debra VanScoter (Jeff), and brothers-in-law Thad (Sandy) and Del Birch as well as long-time friends Bill Kiehl, Mark Miller and Jerry Gemler all of Erie.

 The family would like to thank Chanel (#5) for her care, compassion, love and prayers towards Tony during this last year that he spent at Elmwood Gardens.  Tony and Chanel (#5) had a special connection and she always made a point of spending extra time with him.

Friends are invited to call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 West 26^th Street on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.  They are invited to attend a funeral service at St. Jude Church 2801 West 6^th Street Erie, PA 16505 on Saturday at 1:00 pm with Rev. John Detisch officiating.

Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following:   Habitat for Humanity – 4922 Pittsburgh Ave, Erie, PA  16506 or the United Way, Imagination Library Of Erie County 420 West 6^th St. Erie, PA  16507.