Anthony J. Smiraglia, 73, of Camp Hill, passed away on October 21, 2021, surrounded by family in Holy Spirit Hospital after a brief battle with brain cancer.
Tony is survived by his wife, Rauchelle Colio Smiraglia; his daughter, Christina Smiraglia, and son-in-law, Matthew Owen, of Arlington, MA; sisters Ann (Edward) Pollet and Joan (Rick) Mondo of Rochester, NY; nieces Cindy (Tom) Horn of Louisville, KY, Erin (Brandon) Warren of Rochester, NY, Shanda Georg and Dolores Dorsett of Alexandria, VA, Merriel Georg of Annandale, VA, Tina (Matthew) Reddington of Harper’s Ferry, WV; nephews Mark (Sara) Christman of Rochester, NY, Michael Pollet of Easton, PA, Christopher (Christine) Colio of Purcellville, VA, and John Georg Jr. of Frederick, MD; brother-in-law Lloyd (Jeannie) Colio of Annandale, VA; and a wonderful extended family.
Tony was a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas Institute and St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY and received his Master’s degree in Spanish Language & Literature from Indiana University in Bloomington, where he met Rauchelle, the love of his life. He taught Spanish and Italian in Bristol, PA and Syracuse, NY before transitioning into submarine contract negotiation for the U.S. Navy in Mechanicsburg, PA, where he worked for more than 30 years.
He enjoyed traveling with Rauchelle and other family members, having recently cruised the Danube River and visited Australia & New Zealand. Tony’s greatest love was his family; he kept in close contact with relatives near & far and doted on his feline family members, Sunset and Sienna. He pursued genealogical research to discover his Italian ancestors, expanding the family’s understanding of their history and connecting with family still in Italy. He also enjoyed landscape design, seasonal decoration, early American history, home improvement, and old movies. He could bring a smile to the face of any family member, friend, or new acquaintance with his gregarious warmth.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lucy (Sassone) Smiraglia, and sister-in-law Merriel-Jo Georg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the ALS Association (www.als.org/donate), a cause Tony championed after the untimely loss of his mother to ALS.
Memorial Services will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 3435 E. Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011. Visitation will be on Monday, November 15, 2021 from 10am – 11am, followed by a funeral Mass, which will be livestreamed on the Church’s YouTube
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmk-1gzTinS_dKGGf-6cytg) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/goodshepcamphill) pages.
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Smiraglia family.
0 comments on “Anthony J. Smiraglia”
This is so hard for me to write. When I transferred from NAVSUP WSS PHL to MECH in 2012, I met Papa Tony in the most funniest way in which I will cherish in my heart everyday. He was my Papa Tony. Both Papa Tony and Mama Chell adopted me when we went to dinner in various places. Papa Tony would sing Mi Viejo San Juan every time he pass by my old office when I was a supervisor. I remember the first time he met Bobby he told me he is a keeper. Papa Tony attended our wedding (Bobby and Me) on October 11 2015, I could still see his smile. Especially when he would look at Mama Chell in a way I would see my own parents. I’m going to miss Papa Tony so much. I know you are in HEAVEN Partying with my parents. Just want to say I LOVE YOU DEARLY PAPA TONY.
I worked with Tony for many years at the Navy Depot. He was always smiling and never seemed to have a bad day. My condolences to his family. I’m sure that smile will be missed.
Caro Tony, è grazie a te se abbiamo potuto dare un volto alla parte di famiglia che stavamo cercando da tempo in America e che era ormai sembrava quasi una leggenda….
Siamo sicuri che starai in paradiso a farti grasse risate con i nostri nonni e che gli starai raccontando tutte le storie che avresti voluto raccontare anche a noi.
Che la terra ti sia lieve.
God Bless our 1966 Aquinas Brother
I am so deeply sorry for your loss, and it’s a big one. Tony was a wonderful man, devoted to both Shel and Christina. I always saw him with one of you, or both. The few times I saw him alone, he was talking about you.
I’m keeping all of you in my heart
With love, jill
MR SMIRAGLIA WAS ALWAYS “CHRISTINA’S DAD” TO ME. MY DAUGHTER, MEERA & CHRISTINA GREW UP TOGETHER AND HAVE REMAINED FRIENDS THROUGH MANY YEARS OF SCHOOL & COLLEGE. ANTHONY & RAUCHELLE TREATED MEERA AS THEIR OWN DAUGHTER. MY HEART IS BROKEN TO HEAR ABOUT HIS SUDDEN DEMISE. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY. MAY GOD GRANT THEM STRENGTH TO BEAR HIS LOSS.
I am so saddened to hear of Tony’s passing. Sending my deepest sympathy to his family. Tony was one of the kindest people I had the pleasure of working with. He always made me smile!
While I didn’t get to work with Tony for very long he was always extremely pleasant and helpful. I am glad our careers crossed path even if only for a short period. Sending love and condolences to his family.