Hundreds of people packed Truman Recreation Center Thursday afternoon to celebrate the life of longtime Villages performer Tony D.
Dance instructor Calvin Booth knew Anthony DeMascio for 18 years. “He was one of my best friends,” said Booth.
He remembered one of his fondest memories about Tony when Booth and his wife Evelyn were dancing at Chula Vista Recreation and Tony dedicated a waltz to the couple.
The song was called “CE105” in honor of Calvin and Evelyn.
“Tony was helping us,” said Booth when he recalled how Tony was “such a wonderful man” to him and his wife when they first moved to The Villages.
Booth was in absolute shock when he received a call the morning Tony died and has always thought he would “go before him.” After receiving the tragic news, Booth got in contact with Tony’s wife of 39 years, Donna, to offer consolation.
Sharing the same shock as Booth were Joan Wilkins of the Village of Tamarind Grove, Rita Burrows of the Village of Orange Blossom Gardens, and Barbara Hladio of Village of St. James.
Each woman remembered Tony exactly the same: gracious and friendly.
“His music was perfect, so powerful,” said Burrows.
The women all agreed that The Villages would not be the same without Tony.
“He was The Villages,” said Hladio who later could not express how surprising the late performer’s death was after hearing from a friend how active Tony was just last week.
A former Katie Belle’s employee, who had the honor of working with Tony, K.C. Larry was proudly wearing his “Tony D Fan Club” shirt to remember the performer.
Kansas City native K.C. Larry recalled a time when Tony sang a version of “Kansas City” just for him.
“Music will carry his memories,” said K.C. Larry stating that the singer will live on in songs.
“When people listen to his music and dance in his honor, they will always remember him,” he said.
Dance instructor and event coordinator Dieter Wuennenberg thanked the overwhelming amount of guests for their love and support.
He shared that on his website, DieterDance.com, people can donate via a link on the site to help fund Tony’s memorial.
Tony is survived by his wife Donna, six children, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
