Rago, Jr., Anthony Francis
Anthony “Tony” Francis Rago Jr., 80, of Leland, NC, passed away on October 15, 2022, at LifeCare Hospice after a short battle with aggressive cancer. Tony was born July 12, 1942, to the late Anthony and Mary (Rizzo) Rago in Hartford, CT. He was the youngest of three siblings. Tony was a recent resident of Leland, NC where he had been living for three years after having spent the previous 40 years in Fairfield, CT.
Tony grew up in Hartford, CT, and graduated from Weaver High School in 1960 where he played both football and baseball. He then attended the University of Connecticut where he met his future wife of 55 years, Harriet Shapiro, on a blind date in the fall of 1963. After graduation, Tony enlisted in the Army National Guard and was fortunate to be stationed on Staten Island near his family. He continued his studies at Western New England College where he received an MBA. Tony started his career as an industrial engineer, but he was asked to join an early program offered by IBM to learn about mainframe computers in the late 60s. He spent many years as a systems analyst and manager at various corporations. Later in life, Tony fulfilled a lifelong dream to own his own restaurant. For five challenging years, he owned and ran Sam + Vera's in Bridgeport CT. In retirement, he cherished greeting the children, parents, and teachers as a crossing guard at St. Paul's Nursery School in Fairfield, CT.
Tony will be remembered for always working on a project, he loved being outside and fixing things himself. He was often at the bleeding edge of electronics, his house was one of the first to have a computer, video camera/ recorder, and CD player. A lifelong NY Yankees baseball and NY Giants football fan and for many years he was also a season ticket holder to UCONN basketball - starting long before they were NCAA Champions. Tony was a passionate racquet sport enthusiast, with many years spent playing tennis followed by a great enthusiasm for pickleball. Tony also enjoyed public speaking and served as president of his Toastmasters group. These skills were evident in his enthusiasm to engage others in conversation wherever he went. Tony's roast beef and shrimp celebrations will be fondly missed by the family that was so important to him.
Tony is survived by his wife, Harriet Rago; his two sons Jeffrey and Scott Rago; sister Anne Monroe and her husband Harold; daughter-in-law Marie-Tristan Rago and Kimberley Howell; grandchildren Owen, Charlotte, Mikaylah, and Alara; sister/brother-in-law Judith and Jack Farber; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister Theresa Davis.
A celebration of Tony's life will be held this spring. If you would like to make a donation on his behalf, The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice (lifecare.org) would be appreciated.
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