Tony Tunila

Anthony Tony Tunila, 91 of West Hartford, formerly of Hartford, died on Easter Sunday, April 16 at the Hughes Convalescent Home in West Hartford. He was born in Bristol, son of the late Thomas Tunila and Lucy Clemanus. Tony was educated in Bristol schools before training in hotel and restaurant management at the St George Hotel in Brooklyn, NY. While there he also played semi-pro baseball for a team sponsored by the hotel. Tony was a life long baseball fan, primarily of the Boston Red Sox until after years of frustration he switched to the Yankees. His career was interrupted by WWII and he spent almost five years in the 169th Headquarters Company with overseas service in the Pacific. After discharge, he worked as Manager at DeNino?s Restaurant next to the State Theater in Hartford. He met many stars, among them Rosemary Clooney, Xavier Cugat, Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra. He then went on to operate The Captain?s Table located in the since razed Thomas Hooker Hotel on High Street. In order to spend more time with his family, Tony went into food service management working for ARA and Maffie Convalescent Homes. Tony was a dedicated boater and fisherman and a life member of the Westerly Yacht Club in Rhode Island. If he couldn?t go fishing he talked about it and the fish got longer all the time. His passion was feeding people. He was renowned among his family and friends for his fried shrimp St. Augustine, baked stuffed lobster and potato kugel. In addition to his wife of 50 years, Lois Spears Tunila, he is survived by his son Robert and his wife Robin Daniels of Mesa Arizona; his son John and his wife Susan and his grandchildren Emily Rose and Megan Helen of Tolland CT. He leaves several very close nephews and a niece, Eleanor Melley of NY; Thomas Fiorillo of TX; Michael Fiorillo of MI; and Robert Fiorillo of FL; a sister-in-law Loreen of CA; and many other grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Tony was predeceased by three sisters, Anne Beloin; Nell Fiorillo Zivich; Mildred Bravis and four brothers, John; Joseph; Barney and Thomas. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Joseph 140 Farmington Ave. in Hartford on Friday April 21, 2006 at 10:30 am with interment at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery with military honors. Calling hours will be at the Molloy Funeral Home 906 Farmington Ave. West Hartford from 4-7 pm on Thursday. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to VFW Post 9929, 83 South St. West Hartford, CT 06110.

Tony Tunila

April 16, 2006