Obituary for Anthony T. La Paro
Anthony T. (Tony) La Paro, 87, of Wyomissing, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2021. He shared 58 wonderful years of marriage with the late Margaret (Peggy) Neess La Paro. Tony was the son of the late Carmelo and Margaret Sammon La Paro.
Tony graduated from Oneonta High School, Oneonta, New York, where he was Senior class president, outstanding male graduate, and recipient of the Memorial Award as the outstanding member of the track team. He is a nominee for the Oneonta High School Hall of Fame. He attended Syracuse University on a State Regents Scholarship and received a B.S. in Engineering. At Syracuse he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and served as a national officer and was generally considered a swell guy. He received a M.S. in Engineering from Newark College of Engineering. Tony was a registered Professional Engineer and a past president of the Reading Society of Professional Engineers. He was a 68-year member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and a past president of the Reading Chapter. He retired from Carpenter Technology Corporation.
Tony served on the Wyomissing School Board for 16 years, including many as president. He also served as president of the Iris Club and was on the Board of Directors of the Wyomissing Public Library. He was an avid duplicate bridge player and attained the ranking of Life Master. He was inducted into the Berks-Montgomery Bridge Hall of Fame.
Tony was a great father and grandfather and radiated enthusiasm, joy and positivity to everyone he met. He enjoyed running and competed in road races including marathons. He was renowned for his cooking and love of food, especially sweets. Favorite hobbies included collecting glass insulators, duck decoys, Beanie Babies, and coins. Tony loved the annual Wyomissing 4th of July parade and celebrations with friends and family. You could often find him with one of his beloved dogs by his side watching Syracuse sports, the Yankees, the Eagles, the Phillies or 76ers. Tony’s passion for music included singing in the choir, attending opera and playing the guitar. He and his wife Peggy traveled extensively visiting family and taking cruises. He recently realized a lifelong dream of traveling to Egypt, resulting in a memorable photo of him on a camel.
He was predeceased by his brother, Henry C. La Paro, and is survived by his brother, John La Paro, of Syracuse, New York, his daughters: Susan La Paro of Williamsburg, VA, Nancy La Paro and her husband Aaron Watters of Highland Park, NJ, Karen La Paro and her husband Richard Rowland of Greensboro, NC, and his grandchildren: Alex Trask, Gwen Trask, Evan Trask, Kendall La Paro, Jaclyn Watters, Eleanor La Paro, Madeleine La Paro and Christopher La Paro.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Wyomissing Public Library, ACBL Educational Foundation or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com. Details about a memorial celebration of life will be forthcoming.
Tony graduated from Oneonta High School, Oneonta, New York, where he was Senior class president, outstanding male graduate, and recipient of the Memorial Award as the outstanding member of the track team. He is a nominee for the Oneonta High School Hall of Fame. He attended Syracuse University on a State Regents Scholarship and received a B.S. in Engineering. At Syracuse he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and served as a national officer and was generally considered a swell guy. He received a M.S. in Engineering from Newark College of Engineering. Tony was a registered Professional Engineer and a past president of the Reading Society of Professional Engineers. He was a 68-year member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and a past president of the Reading Chapter. He retired from Carpenter Technology Corporation.
Tony served on the Wyomissing School Board for 16 years, including many as president. He also served as president of the Iris Club and was on the Board of Directors of the Wyomissing Public Library. He was an avid duplicate bridge player and attained the ranking of Life Master. He was inducted into the Berks-Montgomery Bridge Hall of Fame.
Tony was a great father and grandfather and radiated enthusiasm, joy and positivity to everyone he met. He enjoyed running and competed in road races including marathons. He was renowned for his cooking and love of food, especially sweets. Favorite hobbies included collecting glass insulators, duck decoys, Beanie Babies, and coins. Tony loved the annual Wyomissing 4th of July parade and celebrations with friends and family. You could often find him with one of his beloved dogs by his side watching Syracuse sports, the Yankees, the Eagles, the Phillies or 76ers. Tony’s passion for music included singing in the choir, attending opera and playing the guitar. He and his wife Peggy traveled extensively visiting family and taking cruises. He recently realized a lifelong dream of traveling to Egypt, resulting in a memorable photo of him on a camel.
He was predeceased by his brother, Henry C. La Paro, and is survived by his brother, John La Paro, of Syracuse, New York, his daughters: Susan La Paro of Williamsburg, VA, Nancy La Paro and her husband Aaron Watters of Highland Park, NJ, Karen La Paro and her husband Richard Rowland of Greensboro, NC, and his grandchildren: Alex Trask, Gwen Trask, Evan Trask, Kendall La Paro, Jaclyn Watters, Eleanor La Paro, Madeleine La Paro and Christopher La Paro.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Wyomissing Public Library, ACBL Educational Foundation or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com. Details about a memorial celebration of life will be forthcoming.