Anthony (Tony) W. Sacco

Anthony (Tony) W. Sacco, of Canonsburg, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2023, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s and Dementia with his wife by his side.

He was born March 12th in Hazleton, PA, a son of the late Anthony D. Sacco and the late Claire (Simon) Sacco.

He attended grade school and high school in Hazleton, PA, and studied at the University of Wisconsin (Stout Campus) in Menomonie, WI, majoring in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Fluid Power. He started his career with Bucyrus Erie and quickly became an expert in his field of pneumatics and industrial construction equipment. He worked for several large companies such as DeMag and Krupp Cranes, and Anthony Crane – later known as Maxim Crane Works – the largest crane company in the world, where he retired from in June 2008. Tony was very well known in his industry. He was often contacted by national head-hunters hoping to lure him away from his present employers to a competitor. His work took him to 43 of the 50 states in the United States, Japan, and several trips to Germany. Prior to his career in the construction industry, he oversaw the operations and maintenance at the Duplan Silk Mill in Hazleton, PA, – once the largest silk mill in the country – a 5-story 550,000 square foot industrial building.

He served in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War at a missile site in Germany. He quickly attained an E5 status whereby it normally could take up to three years to achieve the E5 rank. He received an Honorable Discharge.

Tony often spoke of his childhood. His parents owned and operated two drive-in theaters, managed an indoor movie theater and managed a large apartment building. He and his four siblings worked the businesses alongside his parents, aunt, uncle, and cousins. He would often remark about his math skills because during intermission at the drive-in you had to move the patrons quickly through the concession lines before the movie started up again. There was no time to use a calculator or an adding machine because that extra step took too long.

Tony was a life-long volunteer. He started volunteering for the Jaycee’s in Hazleton, PA. One of the most successful fund–raising events ever to be undertaken by that organization was headed by Tony and a few other fellow volunteers. He devoted 25–years to the North Strabane Township Municipal Authority serving as chairman and vice-chairman for several of those years, 20+ years for the Glencannon Home Owners Association, and a few years for The Caring Mission where he played Santa Claus to the elderly at local nursing home facilities. One year he played Santa to 450 seniors. Tony loved politics and would often find himself in “spirited debates”. As a young man he served a term on the Hazleton City Council.

In addition, to his volunteer work he enjoyed home remodeling projects, the movies, watching The Steelers football team with his wife, and napping in his hammock in his garden.

On Easter Sunday, April 15, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada, he was united in marriage with Marcia Muncie-Thomas. They celebrated 33 years of marriage. He would often say he would be lost without his “Bride”.

Tony and Marcia had several memorable vacations together to Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, a family cruise to Nova Scotia, andvisited several of the states in the United States.

Surviving in addition to his wife is his son (Anthony) Christopher Sacco who resides in Shaverstown, PA. He also is survived by a sister Pat (Larry) Olivia of West Chester, OH, sister Carmela Bergman (Chris Kallis) of Medfield, MA, brother Frank Sacco of Hazleton, PA, and sister Susan Sacco of Wilkes  Barre, PA. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews, and his beloved pet cat Gretta. He also leaves behind his dear friends Stanley and Joan Manges, Kurt Fuchs, Arnold Chotiner, Mark and Ellen Bachmann and Terri Rae Anthony.

Services will be private and interment will be at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Memorial contributions in Tony’s name may be made to the Washington Area Humane Society, 1527 PA-136, Eighty –Four, PA 15330 or Fix ‘Ur Cat, 18 W Pike St, Canonsburg, PA 15317.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pittsburgh Cremationand Funeral Care in McMurray, PA.