Anthony was a letter carrier for more than 30 years after holding several other jobs.
He began doing pyrotechnics with Lisbon Fireworks Company in Ohio and for Zambelli in New Castle.
Tony was a Korean War veteran, member of the American Legion Post 490 for more than 38 years and member of the PGI.
While working on Night of the Living Dead, he created the Special Effects and explosions along side his good friend Regis Survinski. Tony also starred in the film as a posse member, hunting down the undead ghouls.
According to Regis Survinski, Tony had also played a Ghoul for one night while filming, but it wasn't until the recent "Who's that Ghoul" episode of NIGHT Talk, that Gary Streiner identified his Ghoul character in the film.
In some of the scenes this Ghoul can be seen standing next to an area where Harry Coopers Molotov cocktails land and explode. As Tony was a pyrotechnician,
he would probably have been setting the fire as George shouted action.
He regularly attended the Living Dead Festivals in evans City, PA, where he would meet Night of the Living Dead fans, signing autograph.
Sadly Tony passed away, age 82 of Castle Shannon, on Monday, March 30, 2015.
Beloved husband of Maureen (DeSensi) and the late Donna (Gregg); devoted father of Anthony (Jing qi), Cynthia Pagesh (Ray Gintner), Richard, and Joseph (Jackie); stepfather of Vincent (Jaime) DeSensi; loving grandfather of Nicholas (Angela), Vincent, Adrienne and Joseph Pantanella: Philip & Donna Kyler, Jakeb Pagesh; great grandfather of Kyrie, Autumn and Taryn Pantanella, uncle of Linda (Guy) Matola, Joseph Colizoli and there families.
Researched and compiled by Daz Sargeant
Text and photos © Image Ten, Inc.
If you know of any family, friends or acquaintances that appeared as extras in the original Night of the Living Dead, please contact John Vullo at jmv3683@gmail.com
