Obituary: Anthony J. “Tony” Ragusa Of Wilton, 91, Of Wilton

Information and Photo Courtesy Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home

WILTON, CT — Anthony J. “Tony” Ragusa of Wilton, age 91, entered eternal rest on August 4, 2022, at Danbury Hospital after a brief illness.

Anthony was born on October 12th, 1930, to Salvatore Ragusa and Josephine Varbaro Ragusa in Port Chester, NY.

He is survived by his wife Andrea (Morabito) Ragusa of Wilton, brothers Joseph (Mollie) Ragusa of Port Chester, NY, Daniel (Phyllis) Ragusa of Port Chester, NY, and sister Dolores (Robert) Cavagnet of Rivervale, NJ.

His children from a previous marriage to the late Marion Tarascio are John (Lisa) Ragusa, Christine (Geoff) Batrouney, Ember Carianna of West Palm Beach, FL, Marie Carianna of West Palm Beach, FL, and Thomas Ragusa of White Plains, NY. He had seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Tony was a graduate of Port Chester High School, Class of 1948, and attended Mercy College.
He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 as an ammunition storage specialist and was honorably discharged during the Korean War era. He was extensively involved in his community and was a past president and trustee of the Port Chester-Rye Board of Education from 1972-82.

Tony had a distinguished 57-year career at the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Stamford. As a senior sales representative, he achieved “Leader’s Conference” status sixteen times. He also was very involved with the MetLife Field Veterans Association, serving as the president of the National Executive Committee for two terms.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife Andrea of 41 years. Together they visited several countries, including a three-week tour of Italy. Tony and Andrea also enjoyed taking their nephews Brandon and Ryan Morabito on excursions to Bermuda, Puerto Rico and other destinations.

Tony loved to cook many cuisines, especially Italian and Chinese dishes. He is most famous for his tangy-zesty chili, baked stuffed clams à la Ragusa, Lemon Chicken Oreganato, and his Baked Manicotti. On several occasions he performed demonstration cooking classes at the Wilton Senior Center, where the members enjoyed a delicious hearty meal.

Tony was passionate about the New York Yankees and also enjoyed watching professional golf matches on television. A lifelong avid golfer, he enjoyed playing on many courses in the area. His love for golf began as a teen, working as a bellhop at the Quaker Ridge Golf Club. Later in life, he enjoyed playing billiards at the Wilton Senior Center.

He was a regular parishioner of the Sacred Heart Church in Georgetown, CT.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church; 30 Church Street, Georgetown. Interment will take place privately.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.