Anthony Frank Gagliardi Senior, age 99, of Ten Mile, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on the morning of April 28, 2026. Born in 1926, he grew up on a family farm in Vineland, New Jersey. After the depression, with crop prices plummeting and banks going under, Anthony’s father packed up his family, left the farm behind and moved closer to family in East Harlem, New York. At age 18, he entered military service during World War 2 and was sent to Okinawa, Japan. With the War ending, he returned to marry his sweetheart, Anna Pepe and moved to the Whitestone area of Queens, NY. There he spent some of his time working at his father-in-law’s restaurant. In 1949, he began working for Eastman Kodak as a technician for projectors and cameras. After having two sons, he bought a house and moved to Flushing Queens, NY. There he had two more children, both girls.
In 1977, Anthony relocated to Howell, New Jersey when the Eastman Kodak Company relocated. He enjoyed many years with his wife and family there. He was active in his community and liked to write to Congressmen and other politicians.
In 1995, having already retired, he and his wife moved to an adult community in Toms River, New Jersey. There he enjoyed the company of other family members who retired and settled there with them. He enjoyed many years at barbecues, having parties and learning about the adult community life.
In 2025, while battling various health issues and experiencing the devastating loss of his oldest daughter Marian, he and his wife left New Jersey and went to live with her youngest daughter, Anne in Tennessee. While in Tennessee, he got a chance to taste the county life and meet some wonderful people.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna (Maluzo) Gagliardi; wife Anna (Pepe) Gagliardi; sister Rose and brother-in-law Mickey, sister Paula and brother-in-law Johnny, sister Antoinette Gagliardi, sister Sarah and brother-in-law George, sister Rachel Gaglairdi; his brother Frank Gagliardi; and daughter Marian Gagliardi.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Frank and Chris Gagliardi, his son Anthony Gagliardi, daughter and son-in-law Anne and Michael Crivelli.
Additional survivors include his daughter-in-law Mary Gagliardi, granddaughter Jennifer McDowell, granddaughter Patricia Catozzi, grandson Michael Crivelli II, and 5 great grandchildren: Norma Cahigas, Natalie Cahigas, Daniel Catozzi, Joseph Catozzi, and Colton Catozzi.
The burial will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 12:30P.M. at the East Tennessee State Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 2200 East Governor John Sevier Highway (Hwy #168), Knoxville, Tennessee 37920
Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, is in charge of arrangements. www.kykerfuneralhomes.com
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