Mr. Anthony "Jay" DiSpirito

UTICA – Mr. Anthony “Jay” DiSpirito, age 94, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at Magnolia House at the Sitrin Health Care Center. Born in Utica on November 11, 1930, Anthony was the son of the late Antonio and Maria (Dimeo) DiSpirito. He was a graduate of T. R. Proctor High School, Class of 1948. After high school, he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a meteorologist. On August 29, 1951, he joined in matrimony with the former Barbara J. Smith. The couple shared a loving and devoted union for 63 years prior to Barbara’s passing on August 10, 2016. In their later years Anthony was devoted to her care. Anthony spent his career working as a radar technician for the General Electric Company Department of Defense at their Broad Street location, a position from which he retired. Anthony was a true patriarch of his family. He was a family man through and through. His happiest moments were spent in the presence of his family and loved ones. He also took immense pride in his Italian heritage. He enjoyed all of it from opera to the food to the culture. He kept physically fit and boasted of his membership at the Fitness Mill up through his late 80s. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting especially with his nephew Anthony "Tony" DiSpirito. Anthony especially looked forward to his annual summer vacation at Sylvan Beach. A devout Catholic, Anthony was a parishioner of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where he was proud to have served as an altar boy in his youth. Anthony is survived by his children and their spouses, Michael and Patty DiSpirito, Debra and Bruce Messenger, Susan and Frank Grossi, and Jay and Denise DiSpirito; grandchildren, David DiSpirito; Jeremy and Sarah Messenger, Michael Messenger, Katherine Kealty; Natalie DiSpirito and fiancé David Opozda, and A.J. DiSpirito; and great-grandchildren, Liam Messenger, Kaiden Messenger, Emry Messenger; and Anthony Kealty. He fondly remembered his siblings and their spouses who preceded him, Lena and Rocco Carzo, Frank and Joanna DiSpirito, Tina and Richard Moody, Sam and Elizabeth DiSpirito, Catherine and John Odell II, and Florence DiSpirito. He is additionally survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and in-laws Jackie Smith, and Laney and Antoinette Smith. Anthony was also predeceased by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Ethel (Edwards) Lounsbury; and in-laws, Curtis and Margaret Smith, David Smith, and Patty Palladino. The DiSpirito family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the staff of the rehabilitation unit and Magnolia House at the Sitrin Health Care Center for their care and compassion, with a special mention of Anthony’s nurse Connie and his aide Jackie for their loving dedication to his well-being. Special thanks are also extended to the staff at Wynn Hospital ICU. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Anthony’s Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life which will commence on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church, 422 Tilden Ave. Military Honors will be conferred by the U.S. Navy. There will be an opportunity to greet the family at the conclusion of Mass. Memorial contributions in Anthony’s name may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/dontate; envelopes will also be available at the service. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave.

Mr. Anthony "Jay" DiSpirito

November 11, 1930 - July 15, 2025