Anthony “Tony” Francis Vodola, 90, of Newtown, beloved husband of Wanda, died July 6 at Danbury Hospital, after a short illness. Born April 4, 1925, in Stamford, he was the son of the late Angela Masi Vodola and Gerardo Vodola.

Mr Vodola graduated from Stamford State Trade School and proudly served in the United States Navy in World War II, as a motor machinist’s mate, third class, on the LST 1015. He bravely served from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1946. During his time in the Navy, he saw combat in the Battles of Pelilieu, the Philippines, and Okinawa, Japan.

He worked for many years as an automobile mechanic in Stamford, New Milford, and Ridgefield, retiring from Ace Tire in Ridgefield in 2000. Over the years, he also worked as a carpenter, plumber, and electrician, and, during his retirement, as a repairman for Gilbertie’s Herb Gardens in Easton.

A talented tradesman, he designed and built a home in Redding, where he and his wife lived for more than 30 years. Mr Vodola also built many stonewalls on the Redding property, and numerous pieces of furniture for family and friends. 

He enjoyed making homemade sausage, using the grinder from the family grocery store where he worked in his youth. He also loved spending time with his family, whether at a Sunday pasta dinner, or at many other extended family celebrations.

Mr Vodola was a communicant of St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, and previously sang in the choir at St Mary Parish in Stamford, and served on the lay board at St Patrick Parish in Redding.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

His beloved wife of 62 years, Wanda V.Z. Vodola of Newtown; a son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Celeste Vodola of Newtown; a daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Kevin Hall of Clovis, Calif.; a sister, Lucy Prell of Wilmington, N.C.; and his grandchildren, Cody Hall of Chico, Calif., Sara Hall of Clovis, and Mary, Rebecca, Joanna, Angela, and Veronica Vodola of Newtown, survive Mr Vodola. His sister Rose (Vodola) Festo and his brothers Vincent “Jimmy” and Angelo “Joe” Vodola predeceased him.

Calling hours are Wednesday, July 8, from 5 to 8 pm, at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, July 9, at 10:30 am, in St Rose of Lima Church, Newtown. Interment will follow in St Rose Cemetery, at the corner of Cherry Street and Black Cherry Lane in Sandy Hook.

Memorial contributions may be made to St Rose of Lima Memorial Fund, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470.

To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com.