Anthony J. Spinelli, Sr., 76

Anthony J. Spinelli, Sr., 76, of Collegeville, husband of Maria R. (Cross) Spinelli, passed away peacefully Monday March 20, 2023 at his residence.

Born in Narberth, he was the son of the late Anthony J. and Antoinette (Marconi) Spinelli.

Anthony served in the US Army’s 519th transportation company during the Vietnam War. He was an avid Phillies, Eagles, Notre Dame, and Penn State fan. In 1972, Anthony begun his own business, A.J. Spinelli Plumbing & Heating, which his son Anthony continues to operate today.

Surviving along with his wife are his children Anthony J. Spinelli, Jr. and Geraldine Lopez wife of Frank; step-children Charles Schmidt and Natale Benigno wife of Phil; grandchildren Alexander Lopez, Giavana and Adriana Spinelli, and Noah, Jacob and Luke Benigno; brothers Lou and Frank Spinelli; sister Ellen Ronca; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, Anthony was predeceased by his sisters Cecilia Stemple and Theresa Spinelli.

A Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday March 28, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Visitation Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, 196 N Trooper Rd., Eagleville, PA 19403. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 10:00-10:45 AM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Anthony’s memory to Tunnel To Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org

Add My Condolences

Hi Dad, somehow my post got deleted . I asked Anthony to get one post deleted but because she had my first there was a mixup.

I miss you I love you I remember every lesson you taught me about never giving in giving up and I always fight. Remember the last job that I had? I was having such a hard time with my boss who was unethical, and I wanted to just give up, It was hard to work with him.

It was hard to do anything but you kept telling me to go on keep fighting keep telling the truth and something good will happen

He did , he lost his job. That was the moment that I knew I could fight again and then I wouldn’t lose. I never lost until you died. It

wasn’t your time not my book. I guess God wanted you to come home. I was hoping to have you here longer you always help me overcome some obstacles.

You are my hero. He used to talk me off the ledge now I’m grieving you and there’s nobody to talk me off the ledge it’s impossible.

Alex loves you so much. He misses you and the girls are beautiful and at least you know that Alex is graduating high school, and he got awards for advanced excellence in journalism.

He’s the editor in chief of the school newspaper. He’s off to college in the fall.

I know you’re very proud of him because you said so I told him that . I’m heartbroken that you won’t see him graduate college.

look at the pictures in this book of photos of you and I and we’re on the beach and you’re picking me up and walking around.

know why that is because I hated the feel of sand. I wish you were here to pick me up again emotionally

I’m going through just like everyone who knew. there’s a big hole in my heart.

I don’t know what the future holds but I’ll do my best to do right by you and the rest of the family. Aunt Ellen Jay, Debbie, and Teri have all been a great support system. I couldn’t be luckier to have them.

I am hearing a lot of stories from aunt Ellen that are funny and how well she took care of you as a baby.

I’m met the Narbeth boys there were four are four or five of them. I told them about the newspaper clippings of your glory days.

Itwas such an honor to meet them. I wish I could’ve heard more stories. I forget their names, unfortunately. I just want you to know that you taught me a lot.

The teenage years were interesting but we survived. We always survived now I just have to try and survive now. It’s hard. I’ll try I love you dad very much.

Every time now when I watch politics I realize you aren’t here.

We talked about 3-4 times per week and the end of the call every time, you said I love you.

I’ll hold on to that and all of our memories. Alex love spending a week by himself for a week.

I love you daddy. I hope you’re at peace and finally no longer in pain.

~ Geri Lopez Katy, TX
4/9/2023 8:12:33 AM

So sorry tony. He was a great man

~ Craig metzger
3/30/2023 9:49:47 AM

I never had the privilege of meeting Anthony. However...just yesterday...I finally had the privilege of meeting his son. What an absolute joy that was!!! And if Anthony, Jr. is only "half the man" that he was, then he must have been one Amazing Man (because his son certainly is ALL of that)! R.I.P.

~ Ric ONeill Schwenksville, PA
3/28/2023 6:31:55 PM

Tony, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

~ David Trauger
3/27/2023 4:34:12 PM

Natalie and family: My heartfelt condolences at this time of sorrow. May you be supported by friends and family and The Lord. Peace be with you. Peggy

~ Peggy Dean Denver, PA
3/27/2023 11:49:40 AM

Tony. So sorry for your loss. ??

~ Emma & David Trauger
3/25/2023 3:28:59 PM

Geri-I am so sorry for your loss. I remember all of our memories growing up with your dad-stay strong. Love you!

~ Karen Thomas
3/24/2023 8:08:15 PM

Tony -

I will forever remember the very first day that I met you. You said to me "You remind me of Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny". I was so happy! That was and is still one of the best compliments I have ever received as it's one of my favorite movies of all-time and I absolutely adore Marisa Tomei in it. Minutes pass throughout the day and it hits once again that you are no longer here. Your passing was very sudden and it is still so hard to believe. You have left many people behind with a broken heart who are going to miss you terribly. You were the best "pop-pop" to all of your grandchildren and I am truly happy they will have memories of you to carry with them for the rest of their lives. You were a dedicated husband with an unwavering love for Maria, who you called "the love of your life". You were a devoted father with an unbreakable bond who also served as a best friend and confidant. Simply put, you will be greatly missed, always. Maria - my heartfelt condolences to you for the loss of your husband. I know how much you love Tony and how you always will and that you will miss him greatly. Anthony - I see how lost you are right now and words could never express how sorry I am for your agonizing pain for losing not only your father but also your best friend and hero. There isn't anything you two didn't do together. Geri, Frank, Natale, Phil, & Charles - my deepest condolences to all of you. To mine & Anthony's daughters and all of the grandchildren, pop-pop will always be watching over you!

~ Dana Pietrafesa Gilbertsville, PA
3/24/2023 10:27:27 AM

My condolences to Anthony Jr and family

~ Carolyn Brooke
3/23/2023 9:22:56 PM

Geri, Anthony Jr, Maria: Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for your loss. The Lord asked him to come home to him. He flew with the Angels to the most beautiful home and someday you will all meet him there and there will be much rejoicing. God Bless all who mourn for this wonderful man. What they cannot take away from us are memories that will live forever locked in our hearts.
To my baby brother Anthony: I will remember with great joy all the years growing up together with you. My first memory of you was when you were born and I went along with others to Bryn Mawr hospital to pick you and Mom up and take you home to Iona Avenue in Narberth. What a thrill that was for me. I watched over you like a Mother Hen. Mom used to let me feed you your baby food as a toddler. When it came to the Gerber custard pudding, I always made sure there was an extra jar for me. Our sister Cecelia and I used to sit and play and talk to you for hours as a toddler and make you say words you couldn’t pronounce and you brought us much laughter.
I will also miss our weekly conversations on the phone in recent years when we discussed everything under the sun. I cherished those times when we talked together and always looked forward to them.
Rest in peace my dear little brother; I will be waiting for you in my dreams to re-live all those beautiful memories that are stored inside of me. You will live forever in my heart.
Eternal Love to you,
Your sister Ellen

~ Ellen norristown, PA
3/23/2023 2:42:43 PM

Maria, Tony, Gerry, so sorry for your loss, haven't seen you in years but remember your dad- and Tash and Funzi together whenever we would be in Collegeville visiting Tash. Now their altogether watching over us.

~ Maria Greco (Funzi)
3/23/2023 12:30:14 PM

Rest in peace Tony . I will miss our conversations about politics and Philadelphia Sports. Teams

~ John cross
3/23/2023 10:29:09 AM

Maria & Spinelli Family,
We always enjoyed being with Tony when he came to the family functions at Phil &Natale’s. I loved talking about politics and sports with him. He always talked about his children and grandchildren. He was so proud of them . I will miss you dear friend. Prayers for comfort and peace at this difficult time to the family.Phil & Carol Benigno

~ Phil&Carol Benigno
3/23/2023 7:54:27 AM

What a great guy he was a good friend to my father rest in peace tony

~ Michael Desalvatore Mont Clare, PA
3/23/2023 7:33:20 AM

Dad,

I simply wasn't ready for this day to come. There is no manual, or directions on how to deal with the pain of losing not only your father, but your life long best friend. Through out the years, it was YOU who taught me how to treat people, and how to be the man I am today. That tough love you gave me right up till the end, was your way of preparing me on how to deal with problems and navigate my life. You were the one who ALWAYS had the answers to my questions, and I could ALWAYS lean on you for advice about life in general. Even though we didn't say "I love you" to each other often, I could tell the love and affection you had for me, from the twinkle out of your baby blue eyes! You and I were inseparable, we use to laugh and tease each other, and I'm going to miss watching sports, and talking about the Plumbing trade with you. I hope to be half the man, half the tradesman that you were...you were simply the best. I will forever be indebted to you for all the things you taught me, and sacrifices you made for me. My promise to you is that I will pass on your legacy, and instill those same values in your grand daughters. I was fortunate and blessed to have a wonderful father, and role model, who taught me how to be a Spinelli. I love you dad!

~ Anthony Spinelli Jr.
3/23/2023 5:55:42 AM

Tony and Gerry,
Sorry for your loss. I have such cool memories of your dad. I hope you all are doing well and getting through this as best you can.

Dave (Solliday)

~ Dave Solliday
3/22/2023 5:38:46 PM

So sorry for your Loss. Our deepest sympathy ????

~ Mr & Mrs John Jampo
3/22/2023 4:59:50 PM

Maria, I am so sorry for your loss. May his soul rest in eternal peace in God's loving arms.

~ Donna Phipps Sturm Plymouth Meeting, PA
3/22/2023 10:15:56 AM

My condolences to the Spinelli and Benigno families on their loss. Tony was a great guy. Loved talking with him....May you RIP Tony....

~ Donna Day
3/22/2023 10:02:36 AM