Obituary & Services
Anthony “Tony” R. Desmond, 76, of South Windsor, passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter, Allison Desmond Kiene in Mooresville, North Carolina on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 surrounded by his family. Tony was born in New London to the late Cecil Desmond and Alice (Irwin) Wogisch. He was one of the first 100 boys in the first freshman coed class in 1958 at St. Bernard High School. It was at St. Bernard that he met his “movie star beautiful” wife of 49 years, Tina (Papalia) Desmond. While at St. Bernards, Tony was considered one of the schools top athletes, earning him a place in the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. As a baseball player, he pitched in a 3-2 win over Norwich Tech for the schools first win in baseball history and led the team in hitting all four years. As a basketball player, he was a defensive specialist on the schools first conference championship team. His coach called him the best defensive player in Eastern CT. After graduating with the Class of 1962, Tony received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut in 1967. He joined the Allstate Insurance Company as an underwriter and shortly thereafter became an agent. In 1988, he formed the Desmond Agency in South Windsor where he, his son (Robert Anthony Desmond), and Tina provided insurance services to the local community for over 25 years. Tony could be found each morning at the donut shop and on the baseball field in the evening. He generously donated his time to South Windsor baseball and hockey serving as a coach, mentor and role model. He served as President of South Windsor Youth Hockey organization and Vice President of South Windsor Little League. In 1979, he co-founded the towns American Legion Baseball Team and coached for 15 years. Most recently, he sponsored the South Windsor Phillies Baseball Team, part of the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League. He was honored by South Windsor Legion Baseball and South Windsor Little League (SWLL) for 15 or more years of exemplary services and holds a place in the SWLL Honor Line Up. While Tony loved coaching and helping families in South Windsor, he loved his family even more. He spent hours in the yard or at the baseball fields with his children (Allison, Robert and Richard Thomas Desmond) and grandchildren (Timothy Patrick Kiene and Caitlin Christina Kiene). His grandchildren particularly looked forward to their “pre-practice, practice” with Pops. As Timothy and Caitlin grew older, Pops began sending them inspirational quotes each morning with words of love and encouragement. He often shared these notes with friends and family members. Tony is survived by his daughter, Allison and her partner Paul Houck, his grandchildren, Timothy and Caitlin, all of Mooresville, NC; Tinas brothers: Anthony Papalia and his wife, Rose, of Parish, Florida; Joseph Papalia and his wife, Susann, of East Lyme; and John Besczcak Jr. and his wife, Susan Sabol, of North Kingston, Rhode Island; his daughter-in-law, Ashley Lynn Bartelson of Greensburg, Pennsylvania: as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Tony was predeceased by his wife, Tina, and his sons, Robert and Richard.
His family will receive friends for calling hours on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road, South Windsor.
Family and friends may gather at the funeral home at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 and travel in procession to St. Philip Church, 150 South Main Street, East Windsor for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Catherine Cemetery, Broad Brook. Face coverings and social distancing is required for the calling hours and Mass. The Mass may be viewed online by going to https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/23368043 at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22nd or at any time thereafter for up to 90 days.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tony’s name may be made to Team Telomere at https://teamtelomere.org/support/ or mail to: Team Telomere, 1562 First Ave. #205-4093, New York, NY 10028-4004. For online condolences and guest book please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com
Photos & Video
Paul
Allison, Tim & Caitlin, May peace be with you at this time. Paul & Janet
Laura Kiene Szabo
Allison, I am so sad to hear of your dad’s passing. He was always such a warm, fun, welcoming man to me and my family. Prayers and much love to you Tim and Caitlin. Laura, Rich, Sheri, and Eli
Bill Butchka
Tony, Remembering the days growing up at Ocean Beach and playing ball. Not only a great athlete, but a great guy. Always in my prayers for You and Tina. Bill
Craig DiCiancia
The Fonz. Grease. Unlimited pitches. Swimming. Little Richard. Listening to oldies on vinyl. Slurpees. University of Hartford, driving your mom to work. Snow storms. Allison, Tony, Tina, and Bobby will always be part of my childhood. Great memories!
Mark McDermott
Spent a lot of time with Tony during the formative years, playing basketball, baseball, golf, and just generally hanging out. A great example of the All-American boy of the times. My condolences to his family and friends.
Laura Villagrana
Tony, I am so blessed to have gotten to know you and your wife. It truly was a pleasure spending time with you. Thank you for the amazing memories and making me feel like part of your family. Sending lots of love to the Kiene family. Love you guy lots!
Bill Laramee
Our condolences to Alison, Tim and Caitlin. My family is very sad to hear about Tony leaving us. I miss seeing him at Dunkin in the morning’s and getting the latest sports and family updates. We live down the street from the Desmond’s, and my son played hockey with Richie for many years. It seemed that Tina and Tony were fixtures at every rink we went to. Tony had a great life, but has certainly been through a lot of late. Despite all, he always had a smile and had the latest happenings of his family to talk about. He is one of those people that never had a negative word about anyone and also a person about whom I have never heard a negative comment made. Everyone viewed Tony as a friend. I feel good knowing he is with Tina, Richie and Bobby again. He is probably coaching some team right now, or just out watching the locals play. Our thoughts and prayers are will you all at this time. The Laramee Family
Adam Hathorn
Coach – loved you so much for your guidance, generosity and patience. You always had a positive word and a smile, can remember the blue and white and all the great times. Still dont know how how you through that much BP but we were all the better for it. Love you coach! Adam Hathorn
Jean M Michaud
Tony was the absolute best. Always a smile, always an answer to a question, always there to help. Tony, when you lost Tina that was a very sad moment for me, losing you is far worse. Rest in Peace dear friend.
Ian beaver
Very sad met him 27 yrs ago when I came from England and needed car insurance always sent bday card to me. RIP
Alan Babey
Met Tony 20 years ago. He always treated me as a friend and not just a client. He was always checking in to see how I was getting along. God bless and rest in peace, you will be missed.
Laurie Landeen
The world has suffered a loss of such a wonderful man. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Tony and his family while he served many through his Allstate agencyalways putting others needs first. He was immensely proud of his family and all their personal accomplishments. The Heavens are rejoicing with his arrival. Prayers that the memories comfort his loved ones today and all their tomorrows.
Coleen James
I am deeply saddened to hear that Tony has passed away. I will never forget the sound of his cheerful voice when he called to check in. My deepest condolences to his family.
Mike Kiene
We lost a great friend, Tony could always be found a the arena or at the field donating his time for others. Caring encouraging supporting teaching motivating, he always had a smile and made instant friends everywhere. He was someone that you wanted to be around and made you feel good about yourself. He was a wonderful kind person. Tony was always helping the kids out and being one of them we looked up to him. His kindness and generation knew no bounds. Very saddened by his passing heaven is a better place and he will be missed by friends and family.
Eileen Puziewicz
I will never forget the day I meet Mr. Tony Desmond. My friend and I had just rented our very first apartment at 21. We received a pamphlet in the mail from Tony offering renters insurance. Tony came to our (650$ a month) apartment and sat down with us at the kitchen table. We smoked cigarettes, drank coffee, and he spent over an hour just getting to know us. He explained what renters insurance was and why, as adults, it was essential to have. That is just who Tony was. Going out of his way to set up a 200$ a year policy making sure we were taken care of. That was 26 years ago, and my friend and I still talk about that day and how cool he was. We both still have our car and homeowners insurance with Desmond Agency. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Rick & Melon Helberg
Allison, Tim, and Caitlin, Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. We have wonderful memories of hockey and days at AOF. Allison your Dad was always so positive and supportive when the kids were playing together, always had a smile and a warm welcome for us. Please know that he will be remembered by many people as a wonderful person. Rick & Melon Helberg
Lauren Wright
Tony Desmond was just a inspiration to me. I only had the pleasure of knowing him the last 3 years. His wonderful daily text messages of positivity, the Friday golf at East Hartford Golf Club…great conversations about everything! Tony was a fountain of knowledge. I’m so very happy to have been able to see and golf with him in Florida this past February. He will missed by me. My sincere condolences to his daughter and grandchildren, he loved and spoke about them always.
Bob Hearn
Guest Book Coach Thank you for all you did for me! As a mentor coach and friend . You did so much more than coach baseball you taught life lessons with the patience of a saint. You will be forever missed but never forgotten RIP Tony D May you watch over us in Heaven as you watched over us as our Father and Coach. Bob Hearn —
Dolores Stewart
my deepest sympathies and prayers are with the family
Ellen Levintan Clifford
My love of baseball and softball was all because Mr. Desmond took me to the ballpark every morning before school… That led to 12 years of playing myself and 10 years of coaching my daughter. The world was a better place because of Mr. Desmond and I will always remember him.
Rick Guerreri
I met Tony back in 1979 when I graduated Ellington HS and wanted to play legion ball for the summer. At the time Ellington did not have a team so I reached out to Tony and South Windsor let me play. I was a pitcher in HS and Tony gave me lots of advice, I enjoyed his teaching!! After that summer I went off and did not reconnect with Tony till 1990 when i saw him going door to door to drum up new business in the apartment complex where I was living. We spoke on the phone and I have been with him ever since. I used to avoid mailing in my payment just so I could go to his office and talk baseball, man did he love sports!!! He and Tina always bragged about all the children in the family, it never got old. His face would always lite up when he talked sports and kids!! He will be missed!!
Jennifer Neel
Allison We are so sorry for your familys loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. The Neels (June, Jennifer, Melissa and Scoots)
Mark Menta
My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the Desmond family
Julie & Leon Herrick
Our deepest condolences and prayers to his family. He will be surely be missed by all.
Chris Spelman
So many great memories of legion baseball thanks to Coach D and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate his life. God bless.
Kurt and Gaile Dembeck
Our condolences to Tony’s family and close friends. He has been our friendly trusted insurance agent for as long as I can remember.
ROBERT BOLTON
TINA AND FAMILY , SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, TONY WAS A GREAT GUY. HE CALLED ME FELIX AND I CALLED HIM OSCAR , AS A RESULT OF BEING ROOMATES , THE ODD COUPLE , ON MANY ALLSTATE TRIPS . REALLY GOOD MEMORIES. RIP TONY
Debbie Stauffer
I just learned of Tonys passing recently. I changed insurance shortly before he died so I did not get the news but he was my insurance agent for nearly 40 years. I was loyal to him and he worked hard for his customers. RIP Tony. You were one of the good ones.
Carmon Community Funeral Homes
Carmon Community Funeral Homes