Anthony Joseph Miscio

Tony was born on September 27, 1945 in Washington, PA., the son of Michael Miscio and Nicolina Longo Miscio. He was blessed to be born into a loving network of extended family, friends and neighbors, and had many fond memories of his childhood home on Grant Street and the surrounding neighborhood.

Tony’s parents were first-and-second generation immigrants, and he grew up fully rooted in his Italian heritage. His dad, Mike, was a barber who learned the trade from his father and left school to help support the family at age 12. Mike’s integrity and unflagging work ethic led him to become a well-respected businessman and community leader, all of which made a huge impression on his young son. Nicolina (or Nicky, as everyone called her) was a homemaker and devout Catholic who doted on her precocious young son. She instilled in him a strong sense of faith and family, which he retained throughout his life. Nicky also had a great sense of humor and the “gift of gab”, both of which Tony inherited.

Tony had an older sibling, Michael Jr., who was ten years his senior. As a little boy, he looked up to his big brother, and that continued into adulthood. While he respected his older brother, Tony was also mischievous and a bit impulsive. According to family legend, teenage Tony once “borrowed” Mike's new car for a joyride and promptly totaled it. Despite this setback, his brother remained a consistent guiding presence throughout Tony’s life.

Tony graduated from Washington High School in 1963 and moved to Chicago, Il. where he enrolled as a student at DeVry Technical Institute. Tony enjoyed his time in the Windy City and received his Associates Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology in 1965. He returned to Pittsburgh and found work in his field, most notably at the Contraves Goerz Corporation and Aerotech. In the late 1970’s, he attended night school at the University of Pittsburgh while continuing to work full time and serve in the National Guard. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1979. Tony also completed coursework at both Penn State and Chattanooga State Community College. He appreciated the value of a technical education.

After leaving Pennsylvania, Tony worked for various companies throughout Florida and Tennessee, including General Defense Contractors, Critikon, Comsat RSI, the Chattanooga Group, and Henley Healthcare. His projects included everything from radar tracking devices to physical therapy equipment and operating room monitors. The culmination of his career was a long stretch as a manager at Texas Instruments in Stafford, TX. Tony loved his time at TI and stayed in touch with many of his colleagues after taking an early retirement at age 65.

In 1967, Tony met the love of his life, Carol Ann Emery, on a blind date. The two married on August 16, 1969 at St. Ursula’s Catholic Church in Allison Park, PA. In 1971 they welcomed a son, Anthony Joseph Miscio Jr.; their second son, Brian Paul, came along in 1974. Tired of the harsh Pennsylvania winters, in 1979 the young family relocated to Seminole, FL. They spent the next ten years there until moving to Chattanooga, TN, where the boys would graduate from high school, attend university and begin their adult lives.

In 1995, Tony and Carol moved to Sugar Land, TX, where they spent the remainder of their years together. They made many friends in their new neighborhood and became active in their church community. As a ministry through St. Laurence Catholic Church, the two provided pre-marital counsel and sponsored six different couples during their time in this ministry, remaining in contact with many of them afterwards.

Tony and Carol traveled frequently throughout their marriage, particularly enjoying Caribbean cruises, of which they took many. Tony’s preference for this style of travel led his father Mike to jokingly refer to him as “Magellan”, which became a beloved story in the Miscio household. The two also had the good fortune to visit far-off places such as Alaska and Italy.

Tony had a passion for music, beginning in high school when he and a friend DJ’d local parties. He possessed a vast record collection as well as a high quality set of congas and Latin percussion instruments. He especially loved Luther Vandross and Bruno Mars, and had no problem turning the volume up to 11. While in Florida, he frequently took the family to outdoor concerts, and developed a reputation for dancing with the family cat Frisky, who was not a fan of such treatment. After moving to Texas he and Carol enjoyed the theatre and attended many Broadway musicals together. No matter what form it took, music provided the means for Tony to experience the wider world and to express himself in ways that were positive and cathartic.

Tony and Carol had many pets throughout their married life. When their sons were young, in addition to Frisky the cat was their beloved dog, Heather. After moving to Texas, they developed a particular love for miniature Schnauzers. During their 30 years together in Sugar Land, they cared for 3: Nicholas, Gandalf and Luigi. Tony adored his dogs and they brought him comfort and joy - so much so, in fact, that Tony once loudly declared that the “best day of his life was when he got that dog” (much to the dismay of his wife and sons).

Tony was a stubborn and complex man who was often demanding and required a great deal of patience. Yet one could not help but appreciate his quick wit and keen sense of humor. As any recipient of a voicemail from Tony Miscio can attest, he had a unique way of being both intensely irritating and hilarious at the same time. During retirement, Tony frequently amused himself by badgering unsuspecting telemarketers, and his capacity to push restaurant wait staff to the limit is unparalleled (he never did find a decent Chicago Beef sandwich in Houston).

For all of these reasons and more, Tony was truly unforgettable and endeared himself to many along the way, including the amazing team of doctors that cared for him during the final years of his life. The family would like to particularly thank Dr. Maria Patarroyo Aponte, Dr. Victor Machicao (and his nurse Phebe) and Dr. Julie Rowe for the incredible care they bestowed upon him, as well as the many friends, family members and neighbors who have provided food or other means of support during Tony’s illness and in the wake of his passing.

Tony is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Carol A. Miscio, who cared for him lovingly and faithfully until the very end; his son Tony, wife Susan and daughter Sarah of Beverly, MA; son Brian, wife Kara and daughter Nicolina of Chattanooga, TN; sisters-in-law Donna Oswald of Seminole, FL and Louise Shane of Phoenix, AZ; and nephews Mark Miscio, Matt Miscio, and Mike Miscio along with their families. Tony also leaves behind several cousins in Washington, PA including Jay Miscio and wife Severina, Micki Longo Bruner and husband Ken, and Mary Scuvotti Lennox. Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Nicolina, brother Michael Jr., in-laws George and Norma Emery, and a brother-in-law, Van Oswald.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Laurence Catholic Church in Sugar Land on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 10 am. Afterwards, the remains will be interred at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Peters Township, PA. This will be announced for family and friends at a later date.