Obituary of Anthony J. Buonaiuto

NORWALK, CONN Anthony (Tony) Buonaiuto, 83, was called home August 28, 2022. Born August 25, 1939 in Jamaica, New York to Carmine Buonaiuto and Antoinette Cangelosi. Known as Tony, Tony B, Pancake Man, and even Santa, who he enjoyed portraying over the years. He moved to Connecticut about age 10. He was active in sports as a baseball player in both PONY Leagues and Norwalk Babe Ruth League winning both the batting title and pitching trophy. He also played Defensive Linebacker for Norwalk High School for three years. Attended Nathan Hale Middle School and is a 1957 Graduate of Norwalk High School. Predeceased in death by his high school sweetheart and first wife of 31 years Annette Garfield Buonaiuto, two sisters Mary Ann Gearin and Angela McGuire, and second wife Paula Novak. He is survived by his daughter Pamela, his granddaughter Annette Mahon and 4 great-granddaughters. He is also survived by his brother Peter (Marybeth) Buonaiuto, brother-in-law Robert (Angela) McGuire both of South Carolina, Sister-in-Law Arlyne Parillo and Brother-in-Law Arthur Garfield and many nieces and nephews. A member of Norwalk Fire Fighters Association Local 830 from 1961 until his retirement as Captain in 1980. Upon retiring from the Fire Department, he and a fellow firefighter ran a liquor store "Spirits of '76" for many years where most employees were injured fellow firefighters. He was quite the shutterbug and enjoyed being outdoors taking photos of wildlife and spent many hours in the woods waiting to take the perfect shot. He will be remembered for his love of people and animals. Always willing to help those in need, the family name Buonaiuto means good help and he lived up to that. He was a loving and supportive son, brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather as well as a friend to all. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 2, 10 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 203 East Ave., Norwalk, with burial to follow at Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport. Tony's family will receive friends at the Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Ave., Norwalk on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association or the Connecticut Humane Society.