Obituary of Anthony J. Panara

Anthony J. "Tony" Panara, 91, of Rome passed away on Friday July 22, 2022 at the Masonic Care Community, Utica, NY. He was born in Buffalo, NY on October 23, 1930, the son of the late Aldo and Julia DiRenzo Panara. Tony graduated from Emerson High School in Buffalo and the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute in Laurel, MD. On May 5, 1956 he married Juliette Joy Queirolo in St. Mary's Church, Rome, NY. Joy passed away February 1, 2010. Tony and his late brother Al owned and operated Crest Dry Cleaners in Rome for many years. Tony finished his career as a technical sales representative for ADCO, a manufacturer of specialty drycleaning products. Tony and his wife Joy were active members of St. John the Baptist Church. He was a lifetime member of the Rome Elks Club. Tony shared his kindness in many quiet ways. Quick to bring a smile or a laugh - his favorite activity was gathering with family and friends around the table playing cards. Tony is survived by his four children: Alena Panara, Herkimer, NY, Joel (Sue Ellen Cox) Panara, Durham, NC, Beth Ann and her husband Michael Nichols, Westlake Village, CA and Andrea Panara, Rome, NY. Also surviving: a sister-in-law, Carmella Panara, Lakeland, FL, a brother-in-law, John J. Queirolo, Sr. and his wife Barbara, Ridgefield, CT. Tony was a loving grandfather to four grandchildren: Jake Fiumara, Sawyer and Cicely Panara and Summer Nichols. In addition, he is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Joy, his parents, brothers and sisters-in-law; Albert and Gloria Panara, Joseph and Eileen Panara and Ned Panara; sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Tom Maher and sister-in-law Jeannine Drewnowski. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, NY. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Road, Rome,on Monday, August 1st from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tony's name to the Masonic Care Community, 2150 Bleecker St., Utica, NY 13501 or Special Olympics New York, Inc., 504 Balltown Road, Building 12C, Schenectady, NY 12304. To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.