Obituary of Anthony G. "Tony" Barone

Anthony G. "Tony" Barone, 86, of Lakewood, NY, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020, in UPMC Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA. A lifelong area resident, he was born April 25, 1934 in Jamestown, NY, a son of the late George L. and Gladys Wullenweber Barone. Anthony graduated with honors from the former Lakewood High School in 1952 where he was a member of the basketball and baseball teams. He attended Notre Dame University in South Bend, IN, in the pre-pharmacy program, graduating in 1956 and attended the University of Buffalo pharmacy school graduating in 1957. Anthony spent 48 years as a Pharmacist in the area. He began his professional career in 1957 working for the family business, the former Lakewood Drug Store. He purchased the Lakewood Drug Store in 1976 and it continued as the neighborhood pharmacy until Rite Aid purchased the business in 1990. Anthony continued his pharmacy career as Pharmacy Manager at the Lakewood Rite Aid until his retirement in 2005. He will be fondly remembered as the "whistling pharmacist" who often went above and beyond for his beloved customers. Tony was a prominent figure in the Lakewood community his entire life. He served as president of the Lakewood Businessman's Association, was president of the Lakewood Area Chamber of Commerce from 1968-1970 and was the local president of the New York State district for the Lakewood Area Jaycees. Under his leadership, the Jaycees established the Lakewood Jaycee Summer Festival and Anthony was awarded a life membership in the U.S. Jaycees as a Senator. He also served on the Southwestern School Board for six years and was one of the founders of the Lakewood Area Little League baseball field. His commitment to preserving the history of his hometown was shown serving as the Lakewood Historian, helping to establish the Lakewood Historical Museum. He was also instrumental in establishing the permanent Packard Memorial and the World War II Memorial. He also served on the board of the Lakewood Memorial Library for several years. Anthony was one of the originators and served as chairman for 26 years of the Lakewood Area Junior Miss Program (Distinguished Young Women) which was started in 1965. He was instrumental in organizing the annual Lakewood 4th of July Celebration and the Fire Cracker Run which continues today. He was one of the original founders of the McDonald's Senior Golf Tour in our area and was an ardent golfer belonging to the Chautauqua Golf Club for 30 years. Anthony loved to travel especially his golf trips to Ireland. Being an avid Notre Dame fan, he attended over 200 home and away football games. He treasured the entire Notre Dame football weekend tradition with his family. He often would generously invite his friends to also share in this special experience. He loved spending time at home in his "Notre Dame Memorabilia Room" and was commonly seen driving his one of a kind Notre Dame conversion vans. He was a past member of the Notre Dame Sorin Society and the Loyalty Society of Notre Dame. His other memberships include being a communicant of Holy Apostles Parish at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, the Beta Phi Sigma Pharmacy Fraternity and the University of Buffalo, University Club for 50 years. Anthony was an avid reader, stamp collector, and loved spending time boating on Chautauqua Lake. He enjoyed listening to and giving lectures on old time radio programs and loved appearing on the Jim Roselle radio show "Dew Drop Inn" on WJTN Radio. Anthony will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He cherished his time with his family and his many friends. Surviving is the love of his life and high school sweetheart, his wife of 63 years, Elaine L. Skillman Barone, whom he married July 20, 1957; his three daughters: Lisa A. (William) Wallace of Friendsville, TN, Dana (Thomas) Lovecchio of Lakewood, NY, Lori A. (Michael) Dornberger of Rochester, NY; six grandchildren: Ian Wallace of Glen Ellyn, IL, Cody Wallace of Chicago, IL, Andrea (John) Haskell of Jamestown, David Lovecchio of Brooklyn, NY, Zachary Smith and Brennan Dornberger of Rochester, NY; three great grandchildren: Thomas, Angelina and Eliana Haskell, his brother; George L. Barone of Jamestown, NY; nieces, Kris (Michelle Giglio) Barone, and Brooke (Heather)Barone, and a nephew, Adam Barone. Due to covid-19 restrictions, a memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at a later date. Anthony's family would like to thank the staff of Heritage Green for their care and compassion over the past year. Memorials may be made to the Lakewood Memorial Library, 12 West Summit Street, Lakewood, NY 14750, the Lakewood Historical Museum, 20 West Summit Street, Lakewood, NY 14750 or to the Ashville, Library, 2200 North Maple Ave. Ashville, NY 14710. You may leave words of condolence to Anthony's family at www.lindfuneralhome.com.