Anthony βTonyβ Kurdilla , 82, a well known Frackville musician, passed away peacefully on Wednesday February 12th at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill, Pottsville surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Nesquehoning, he was a son of the late Michael O. and Helen Homiak Kurdilla.
Tony was a retired Chief Petty Officer from the United States Navy. He was a member of the Naval Academy Band, Annapolis Md, and a member of the Armed Forces Bicentential Band, touring all 50 states from 1974-76. He play for Presidents Johnson, Nixon and Ford. He relocated to Frackville, PA after retiring from the Navy, serving 22 years, to open the success music store Musicraft. Not only did Tony play but he also taught music lessons for many years, inspiring many in the career of music. Tony was known for his musical talents, as a woodwind musician who had a great love for playing tenor saxophone. Tony played for many famous people like Frank Sinatra, Liberace, Phyliss Diller, Bobby Vinton, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, Jerry Vale, Don Rickles, Milton Berle, Kenny Rogers, John Davidson, Alan Albert, Tommy Tunes, Petula Clark, Lucy Arnez, Alan King, Debbie Gibson, Dorothy Hamell, Johnny Mathias, Perry Como, Tony Bennett, Roberta Flack, The Temptations, Andy Williams, BJ Thomas, Fabian, Juan Lewan, Florence Henderson, and more.
Tony belonged to the Frackville Elks Lodge #1533, the Frackville American Legion Post 398, the former Frackville Masonic Lodge #737 F&AM where he served as Past Master twice, and currently a member of Pulaski Masonic Lodge #216 F&AM, Pottsville, the Shriners, the Fleet Reserve Club, Annapolis, MD and the Navy Musician Association.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant daughter Ann Kurdilla, a brother Daniel and his wife Ardith Kurdilla.
Tony is survived by his loving wife Joanne M. Dillman Kurdilla with whom he would have celebrated 60 years of marriage with in July; his son Anthony Kurdilla, Ashland; his daughter Kim and her husband Stephen Phillips, Frackville; his four grandchildren: Dr. Stephen Phillips, DO and his wife Kat, Warrant Officer Joseph Phillips and his wife Jisun, Dominique Kurdilla, and Anthony Kurdilla III; his three great-grandchildren: Isiaih, Abigail, and Rhys Phillips; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 22nd at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, Frackville with Rev. Carl Shankweiler. Friends are invited to his viewing at the church on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Private interment services will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Frackville. A Fellowship and Celebration of Life will be held at the Frackville Borough Hall immediately after the services β all friends and family are welcome and invited.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Zion Lutheran Church at 48 S. Nice Street Frackville, PA 17931 or to St. Judeβs Children Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.
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