Gistinfo

Tony Petuzziello

On May 23, 2008 at 6:41PM… my dearest Tony left us for the Real Paradise…

My heart is broken… but I know he is finally at peace… preparing a place for me….

Tony was a very passionate man, who did everything with gusto. He loved his family, life, laughter and always made the best of everything that came his way. Friends were very dear to him and he more than enjoyed his golf! Tony took special pride in his Italian heritage. He visited Italy several times and knew more about Roman history than most tour guides. As a dedicated brother , he wouldn’t rest until he found the perfect home for his sister, Maria (who is mentally handicapped). At sixty one years old ,she now lives in a supervised apartment complex with lots of activity where she is happy and will be taken care of for life.

Children would naturally gravitate towards Tony because he was a big kid at heart. He could always make people laugh by his creativity,
quick wit and spontaneous remarks . You just felt better being around him! Even his lack of patience would often provide a comedy show for all. With a generous heart, Tony gave selflessly to favorite charities: Make a Wish Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and an orphanage in our parish priest’s homeland of Shrylanka.

His amazing work ethic laid the foundation for a successful career in Media . Tony was an honest, fair and competent leader. As director of sales with the Maxell Corporation he built a reputation notably with the major networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and HBO. In 1999, at Tony’s direction , the Maxell Corporation donated videotape to record thousands of testimonies by Holocaust survivors . This Steven Spielberg’s project visually preserved a part of history otherwise destined to be lost.

Tony’s treasure was his family! We were richly blessed with a deep, committed love and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s uniqueness and our marriage. Tony never tired of telling the boys and I how much he loved us. He was a model father and would sacrifice everything for his sons, Anthony and Marc. He was so proud of the fine men they grew up to be. Tony loved spending time with them doing even the simplest of things which were always filled with loud belly laughs.

Persistence was one of Tony’s greatest gifts. He overcame many obstacles as a child, and younger man. In July 2002, , after being diagnosed with gist, he faced his biggest challenge. Following two operations that year, Gleevec was prescribed. Four years later the tumors returned and a third operation with three special surgeons was performed in November of 2006. Miraculously ,he returned to vigorous work and an active life style. Another reoccurrence In September 2007, proved inoperable and resistant to Gleevec . Failing Sutent , Nexavar, and a combinations of other drugs he attempted acceptance to clinical trials. Complications and numerous hospital stays began to wear him down yet he never gave up and we held on to hope and prayer.

Then when there just wasn’t any more left to give, God called him home.

Tony had a twinkle in his eyes, the cutest dimple, brightest smile, and greatest laugh that will echo forever in the hearts of all who loved him.

-Ninette Petruzziello

Tony, at the Jersey Shore with his God Child, Kristen Ghinelli

PETRUZZIELLO Anthony “Tony”, Director of Sales for Maxell Corporation of America’s Professional Products Division, passed away on Friday May 23, 2008. He was 58 years old. The entire magnetic recording media community joins the Petruzziello family in mourning the passing of the man whose accomplishments over the past 33 years are unparalleled. Born on September 29, 1949, Tony graduated from Bloomfield College in 1972 and was a pioneer in the early days of the videotape recording with Ampex Corporation establishing, over the years, a legendary reputation notably with all major networks; ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and HBO. He was honored as National Salesman of the Year in 1979 by Ampex Corporation for his accomplishments in broadcast videotape sales. Tony joined Maxell Corporation (Fair Lawn, New Jersey) in 1991 and quickly established Maxell – primarily known as a consumer products company – as a major blank tape supplier to the professional, educational and government markets as well. At Maxell he was promoted several times and ended his career as National Director of Sales. Anthony Petruzziello was a dear friend to many and also a renowned humanitarian. In 1999, at Tony’s direction, Maxell Corporation donated the videotape for all the interviews conducted by Steven Spielberg’s Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation. The purpose of the Shoah Foundation was to record the testimonies of Holocaust survivors, bystanders, liberators, and rescuers before it was too late. Over sixty years had passed since the end of World War II, and in a short time the last witnesses will be gone. Since the project’s inception, thousands of videotaped interviews were preserved thanks to the kindness and generosity of Tony Petruzziello and Maxell Corporation of America. Tony is the beloved husband of Ninette Petruzziello (nee Sandel), loving father of Anthony and Marc Petruzziello. Brother of Maria Petruzziello. Son of the late Lawrence and Mary (nee Conti) Petruzziello. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Nazare Memorial Home, 403 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst on Thursday May 29 at 9 AM then to St. Philip the Apostle RC Church, 488 Saddle River Road, Saddle Brook, NJ where at 10:30 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ. Visiting Tuesday 7-9 PM and Wednesday 3-9 PM. In lieu of flowers in honor of Tony the family requests donations to be sent to Gist Cancer Research Fund, 55 Saw Mill Road, New City, NY 10956. Attention Tania Sutman. Donations can also be made online at www.gistinfo.org. Anthony Petruzziello will be greatly missed as a husband, father, brother, friend and by all who had the good fortune to have known this kind, decent and loving man.