Anthony J. Battista

The world tragically lost  Anthony Joseph Battista, better known as "Tony" to most, 59, of Forked River, NJ on the afternoon of August 28, 2023. Anthony passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family. 

Tony was born in Staten Island, NY, later making his home in New Jersey, having lived in Howell, Toms River and then Barnegat where he spent the majority of his life. Tony leaves behind his devoted wife and best friend of 30 years, Mary Ann, his step-children Christine and Philip Cupo, Philip's partner Karissa McGinley, and his beloved rescue dog, Parker James. Tony is also survived by his loving mother and step-father, Agnes and Charlie [Edmund] Tielman of Manchester, NJ. 

Tony will be remembered for his strength, tenacity for life, and his ability to find humor in any situation. As a juvenile diabetic, Tony was met with many medical challenges over the course of his life, meeting each with the same resolve and optimism, eventually receiving the life-saving gift of becoming an organ recipient. More recently as a semi-retiree, Tony enjoyed working at Walmart where he dutifully collected entertaining and often hilarious customer stories to return home with. Tony always enjoyed helping people, among them, many of his neighbors and friends in his community. He also enjoyed playing card and board games with friends and family--and above all, winning them. Tony earned the affectionate nickname "silent assassin" among immediate family for his unassuming, quiet playing-to-win strategy. Tony was an excellent baker and cook who loved hosting family and friends, but especially the major holidays. Tony's specialties became making perfect apple pies and zeppole. Tony's elaborate Christmas displays spanning the entire indoor and outdoor spaces of the Battista home and carefully decorated Christmas trees became an annual anticipated event for all, a personal joy, and point of pride for him. Tony also notably had a wildly impressive green thumb that bordered on magical and a knack for home improvement (or at least a knack for watching home improvement shows). Tony also loved traveling at every opportunity. He adored Europe--Italy, Spain, France, and among his favorite places: Aruba and Maui. Tony enjoyed regular trips to Aruba with his wife and cousins, Frank and Patti Fontana and hoped to add a Greece stamp to his passport soon. Tony will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him and we ask that you continue to celebrate his life by living just as deeply and richly.

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