Anthony (Tony) Pescatello passed away Friday, January 17th, 2025, at his residence in Discovery Village of Bradenton, Fl at the age of 89. He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family.
Tony was born in New London, CT on August 29th, 1935, to John Joseph Pescatello of Tusa, Italy and Nicolette Carolyn Turello Pescatello. He grew up in New London on Woodlawn Road where he made many lifelong friends.
In his junior year of high school, he went to St John's boys' prep in Danvers, MA He graduated from there in 1953. He then went to Providence College where he earned a degree in Marketing and Advertising.
Upon graduating in 1957 he took a job at the Norwich Bulletin with their advertising Department, but he was soon drafted into the Army. After 6 months of active duty, he spent 6 years in the Army Reserves so he could continue his job at the newspaper.
While there he joined with two other friends to form a partnership with the idea of opening a Women's Junior and Petite clothing store, that they envisioned spreading throughout Southeastern Connecticut, in small downtown areas. In 1963 they opened their first House of Tee in New London, CT and soon had six other stores in various towns.
One day in their Westerly, RI store, a young lady, Margaret (Midge) Otto, walked in to apply for a job. Anthony was immediately smitten and the job interview lasted well over an hour which led to coffee, her becoming manager of the store and then many more dates and eventually a 60-year marriage. They honeymooned in Europe for 3 weeks, which began their love of travel. But times change and in the 1960s there was a cultural shift from downtown shopping to the new malls with large chain stores, so the House of Tee closed their stores.
Tony continued with his advertising and marketing as an independent agency. This led him into to the banking industry, where he developed huge campaigns that got him national attention. A highlight of his career was being invited to Las Vegas to present his marketing ideas for one of the banks he represented.
In 1985 he was getting restless and saw an article in the Wall Street Journal that said the FCC was opening several new radio frequencies, a very rare opportunity. "What's radio" he said, "except selling airtime and marketing?" So, he thought this would be a great opportunity to expand his horizons. This turned out to be a huge challenge, working his way through DC politics. He ended his career owning an AM station in Meriden, CT and an FM station in East Lyme, CT with his son Jeffery as his partner. Once again cultural changes forced him to sell as small radio & TV stations were being gobbled up by large syndicate stations.
In 2001 Tony and Midge retired to Longboat Key, FL where they enjoyed the beauty of boating, the beaches, golf, restaurants and the rich cultural life of Sarasota.
Anthony leaves behind the love of his life, his wife Margaret, his son Jeffrey and his wife Lucie Pescatello, of Orlando, FL, a daughter Carolyn and her husband Sean Burton of Bradenton, FL, a daughter Ami French of Sarasota, FL, as well as four grandchildren; Katherine, Dakota, Isabella and Lucas and a great-granddaughter Scarlett.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice of Sarasota. www.tidewellhospice.org
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St Mary's Star of the Sea on Longboat Key on February 8th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. His ashes will be inurned at the Memorial Garden on the grounds of the church.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
