Anthony J. Biago Sr., 84, of Mountain Top, passed into eternal life on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Twp.
His loving wife is Barbara E. Killiri Biago. They would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary Oct. 8.
Born Feb. 24, 1938, in Exeter, Anthony was the son of the late Albert and Rose Bianco Biago. Because his parents only spoke Italian, he didn’t learn English until attending grammar school. As a young boy, he shined shoes on weekends in the local taverns of Exeter, and during the days sold American Legion raffle tickets. He attended the former Exeter High School, where in 9th grade, he was elected class president.
Instead of going to work in the local coal mines like his father, Anthony enlisted in the United States Army, honorably serving his country for 4½ years during the Cold War Era, attaining the rank of Specialist 4th Grade, and spending nearly three years in Europe.
Following his military service, he attended the former Wilkes-Barre Business College, and took evening classes at King’s College, all while working as a bookkeeper for Raker Paint Factory.
He and his wife relocated to New Jersey in 1960, and, in 1966, enrolled at Middlesex County College, Edison, New Jersey, attaining his associate’s degree in Business Management. He then attended Rutgers University, Newark, N.J., attaining his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting with minors in English and psychology, and was awarded the Key Award for Activism. At Rutgers, he was a member of the Delta Sigma Pi Professional and Business Fraternity, serving as its social director and chapter president.
While the family resided in New Jersey, Anthony worked as an assistant to the plant manager for Harris Steel; as an interplant operations manager for Federal Pacific Electric; and as a systems analyst and, later, as divisional comptroller for Tujax Industries in New York City, with whom he worked with the electrical construction of the World Trade Center.
Eventually, Anthony took a great risk and bought his own company, an established wholesale food company called Porter Foods, servicing the greater New Jersey area with specialty food products and snacks. He grew the company by establishing its own packaging system, and under their patented label “Snack Shoppe” which packaged varieties of nuts. After eight years, he sold Porter foods and took on the job of adjunct professor at
Middlesex County College, teaching business courses for two years.
After that, he became Financial Vice President and Comptroller for Elizabeth Iron Works, eventually leaving there to purchase a long-established real estate brokerage business, Ace Brokers. He and his wife both became licensed brokers and salespersons in New Jersey, growing the business during their 6-year tenure, and most notably becoming involved in the building of townhomes in Linden. It was through this venture that he became appointed to the Cranford Zoning Board for three years.
In 1988, Anthony and Barbara returned to Pennsylvania, purchasing 70 acres of land in Mountain Top. Moving there shortly thereafter, in 1996, he subdivided the land, establishing what is now known as Summit Meadow Estates. In 1999, he went on to become property manager for the Scranton Center, working there for 11 years while overseeing the development of his pride and joy, Summit Meadow Estates.
In 2004, he and his son formed a joint venture, purchasing land in Hazleton and building the “Jennkrist Townhomes” – a development named after his two cherished granddaughters, Jenna and Krista. After a life of entrepreneurial success, Anthony retired in 2009.
A devout Catholic, Anthony was a member of St. Jude Parish, Mountain Top. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 6440, Mountain Top, serving as its past Grand Knight, and was the recipient of the prestigious Star Council award. He was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Bishop William J. Hafey Assembly 925, Wilkes-Barre, serving as its past Faithful Navigator and past District Deputy. He also served as a past supreme delegate for the Knights of Columbus International Supreme Convention.
Anthony was a Boy Scout as a young boy, attaining the rank of First-Class Explorer Scout. Sharing his love of the Boy Scouts with his son, he served as a committeeman and supporter of Boy Scout Troop 75, Cranford, New Jersey.
Anthony enjoyed traveling with his wife and family, and especially enjoyed the many cruises he and Barbara went on over the years – they were fortunate to see the world! He reveled in the simple pleasures of life as well, such as going out to dinner, attending the local church picnics, and working around his property. Above all, his greatest love in life was for his family – the love and devotion he had for his family will be his greatest legacy.
In addition to his parents, Albert and Rose, Anthony was preceded in death by his newborn son, Joseph Anthony Biago; and his infant sister, Rose Marie Biago.
In addition to his wife, Barbara, Anthony is survived by his loving daughter, Denise Biago, Ashley and Ron Antoniewicz, Linden, New Jersey; his loving son, Anthony J. Biago Jr., Kingston, and Lizz Santioni, Old Forge; his two beloved granddaughters, Jenna Biago and her fiancé, David Vitelli; and Krista Biago, both of whom he was deeply proud of, most especially of their accomplishments in education; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Carol (Frank) Grabowski, Shavertown; Dorothy (Joseph) Kauczka, Eynon; Anthony Killiri, Summerville, South Carolina; John Killiri, Lomita, California; David (Irene) Killiri, Allentown; and Peter Killiri, West Pittston; as well as his nieces, nephews and friends.
The Biago family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center for all their help during Anthony’s stay there. They wish to also extend their deepest gratitude to his in-home caregivers, Deborah and Dave, for their care to ensure his comfort at home.
Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend Anthony’s viewing which will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Jude Parish, 420 S. Mountain Boulevard, Mountain Top. A Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Joseph J. Evanko, his pastor, officiating. At the conclusion of the funeral Mass, the rite of committal will be offered, followed by military honors to be accorded by the United States Army.
Entombment will take place in the near future once construction of the family mausoleum is completed.
Funeral Arrangements for the Biago family have been entrusted to the care of Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.
For information or to send Anthony’s family a message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home’s website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Anthony’s memory to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, or to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, 1025 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 1066, Washington, DC 20005.
Published by Citizens Voice from Jul. 2 to Jul. 3, 2022.
