Proud of his service in the Korean War, Anthony John Corvi of Montauk loved this country and always welcomed a conversation about his days in the Army. “He appreciated with every ounce of his being the opportunities he was afforded, and all he was able to accomplish, under our nation’s flag,” his family wrote.
Mr. Corvi, who was known as Tony, was also proud of his Italian heritage. He enjoyed live music and together with his wife, Madeline, expertly danced polka, pop, swing, and jitterbug. “It was impossible for him to hear a musical beat and sit still,” his family wrote. “Music inspired him and perfectly captivated his unabashed zest for life and fun.”
He died at home on Jan. 15. He was 93.
He was born in East Harlem, New York City, on Aug. 29, 1928, one of seven children of Giuseppi Corvi and the former Palmira Corffrini of Parma, Italy. He was reared in East Harlem and later the Bronx. He graduated in 1948 from the Machine and Metals Trade School in New York City. He entered the work force, later attending a yearlong program at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Mr. Corvi’s career in the medical manufacturing field spanned more than 40 years, starting with Howmedica in East Rutherford, N.J., where he was head of tooling and manufacturing of artificial hips and joints, through the company’s sale to Pfizer in 1972.
He and Madeline DeStefano were married in 1953, and celebrated 58 years together before she died in 2011.
An active and devoted Catholic, Mr. Corvi was a past member of the Catholic War Veterans and the Holy Name Society and was a parishioner and patron of St. Therese of Lisieux in Montauk. He found community through his parish and allowed prayer to shape his life, his family said. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
His other pastimes included bowling, playing cards, socializing, and gardening. “Our beloved Tony Corvi will be remembered for his kindness, generous and bottomless heart, sharp wit, dancing prowess, humor, and love for his family,” his family wrote.
Mr. Corvi’s six siblings died before him. He leaves his three children, Donna Corvi and Doreen Corvi of Montauk and John Anthony Corvi of Stoneham, Mass. He was “a tender and warm grandfather” to seven grandchildren: Nova D’Innocenzo, Benjamin D’Innocenzo, Michael Riddles, Molly Riddles, Peter Corvi, Ryan Corvi, and John Anthony Miller. He also leaves one great-grandchild, Lena Hammel D’Innocenzo.
A funeral Mass was said at St. Therese on Saturday. Mr. Corvi was buried at Fort Hill Cemetery in Montauk. Memorial donations have been suggested to East End Hospice, online at eeh.org, to the Montauk Community Senior Nutrition Center at 240 Edgemere Street, Montauk 11954, or to St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church.
