Obituary of Anthony J. De Meo

Anthony J. De Meo, Jr. GENEVA/DUNEDIN, FL - Anthony J. De Meo, Jr., 86, passed away peacefully on Mon. (Sept. 30, 2013), at the Sun Coast Hospice in Palm Harbor, FL. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thurs. (Oct. 3), at the Palmisano-Mull Funeral Home LLC 28 Genesee St. Geneva. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:45 p.m. Fri. (Oct. 4), at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Geneva. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery with full military honors. Contributions may be directed to the Happiness House 731 Pre-Emption Rd. Geneva, NY 14456, or N.E.A.D.S. (National Education for Assistance Dog Services), P.O. Box 213, West Boylston, MA 01583. Anthony was born on Feb. 14, 1927 in Geneva and was a son of the late Anthony and Fannie (Augustine) De Meo, Sr. He graduated from De Sales High School, class of 1945. While in high school, Anthony was a representative for Boy's State in 1944. He served his country in the United Sates Army and was a Veteran of WWII. Anthony Married Ida Galasso in 1948 and fathered a beautiful family. He graduated from the F.B.I National Academy in June 1962. He served his community in many outstanding ways. He began with the Geneva Police Dept. In 1949, when he was appointed patrolman for the Geneva Police Dept. Anthony became Geneva City Court Officer in 1963, promoting and establishing the Youth Officer Concept in the Police Dept. He served as Captain of Detectives in 1968 and retired from the Geneva City Police Dept. in 1974. Anthony became a life member of the Aeneas McDonald P.B.A., and served as President in 1958. He was a founder of the United Cerebral Palsy Happiness house in 1965 and was a member of the Board of Directors from 1965 to 1975. Anthony was the recipient of many awards. In 1971, he was awarded the Lay Citizen's Award for outstanding contributions to education, by the Geneva Teacher's Assoc. In 1975, Anthony received an award, as founder of the Happiness House, from the Mother's Club and all the parents of children attending the Happiness House, and received the Award of Merit from the Finger Lakes Law Enforcement Associates in 1963, after being the secretary-treasurer from 1956 to 1962. He sat on the Geneva General Hospital Advisory Committee from 1970 to 1973 and the Advisory Committee of the Community College of the Finger Lakes Police Science Board from 1971 to 1972. Anthony was a member of the F.B.I. National Academy Associates, the American Legion Winnek Post #396, served on Parish Council for St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Geneva, where he was a member for 22 years, and was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dunedin, FL, where he resided since 1978. He is survived by his children, Anthony 'Butch' (Sherry) J. De Meo III, of Fla.; daughter, Mary Ann E. De Meo of Fla.; brother, Stephen V. (Gloria) De Meo of Pittsford; sister, Joanne M. (William 'Crutch') Kane of Geneva; grandchildren, Teagan M. De Meo and Anthony J. De Meo IV; several nieces and nephews. Anthony was predeceased by his loving wife Ida (Galasso) De Meo in 2001.