Anthony Viola

Anthony “Tony” Viola, 70, of East Pharsalia, passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at Chase Memorial Nursing Home, in New Berlin, following a brief illness.

Born on January 30, 1952, in Middletown, NY, Tony was the son of Vincent and Frances (Scarpinato) Viola. He moved to the upstate New York area to first attend SUNY Delhi, where he earned an associate’s degree, then to attend Cornell University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. After graduating from Cornell, Tony found work in Norwich. Soon thereafter, in 1982, his family would relocate from Middletown to Norwich to begin the ownership and operation of the Norwich Implement John Deere and Kubota equipment business located in Norwich on State Highway 12 South. Tony began working there at that time, too, and would be part owner until his retirement upon the sale of the business in 2020. Tony absolutely loved working at the equipment business and engaging with its many loyal customers. When customers would arrive, they would ask, “Where’s Tony?” due to the many friendships he had built over the years.

Outside of his work, Tony enjoyed tending to his small animal farm. He began with the purchase of a single horse, then heifers, and eventually alpacas under the name Northern Star Alpacas. He would raise and sheer his numerous alpacas for decades. After sheering them, Tony would send the fiber to a South America co-op where it would be made into articles of clothing that were sold at the equipment business. Among his many trips, Tony's favorite was Yellowstone National Park. Tony adored his family, and was very fond of his friends and neighbors. His warm, kind heart touched many lives.

Tony is survived his sister, Jeanette Ruckdeschel, and her husband, Richard, of Norwich; niece, Lynette VanValkenburg, and her husband, Joshua, of Norwich; grandnieces, Mariah Caezza and Haley VanValkenburg; aunt, Virginia LaBruzzo, of Richfield Springs; and several cousins. Tony was predeceased by both of his parents in 2018.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated for Tony at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at the Church of St. Bartholomew. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Contributions in Tony’s memory may be made to the Pharsalia Fire Department, 838 County Road 10, East Pharsalia, NY 13758.