Tribute to a local icon
To his family, friends and the legions of local kids he coached, Tony Maletta was a true mentor who led by example.
Tony Maletta, right, among his first and second loves, family and sports: at a stadium with his wife Linda, son-in-law Brian Sannicandro and grandchildren Anthony and Angelina.
by TOM AMODIE
On July 18, the Chestnut Hill community — and especially the Water Tower Recreation Center — lost a true icon and friend when Tony Maletta, Water Tower staffer and youth sports coach for over 30 years, died.
Anthony Joseph Maletta was the son of first-generation immigrants, Ivo and Amelia Maletta, who brought their family to the United States in 1950. Born in Italy, Tony’s first local address was on Mechanic Street in Germantown. Tony and his brothers worked for the landscaping business that their father started. In 1957, the Maletta family moved to Sprague Street in Germantown and opened up a luncheonette, where his sister and mother worked. Finally in 1958, Tony’s parents sold the luncheonette and moved to Ardleigh Street in Chestnut Hill and Tony lived the rest of his life less than a block away from the Water Tower.
Tony was offered a baseball scholarship to a local private school, but he refused because he needed to continue working for his father. He went to Our Mother of Consolation School where he met Linda, who would become his childhood sweetheart and, later, his wife of 33 years. Tony played basketball for OMC and baseball for the Chestnut Hill Father’s Club, pitching for the Dodgers during the Father’s Club’s inaugural season in 1962. He also pitched in the first all-star game against Wyndmoor and he threw a shutout. A childhood friend described Tony in the following way: “He was an outstanding all-round athlete, most especially a pitcher. He was able to hit the ball to the opposite field at a very young age. He was my idol; I even tried to throw the ball like him.”
Like many OMC graduates, Tony went to Cardinal Dougherty, and he played varsity basketball there. After he finished high school, Tony enlisted in the Air Force. He went to boot camp in Biloxi, Mississippi, and then worked in a top security clearance position in the Office of Special Investigation at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He was discharged in 1971, and moved back to Chestnut Hill into his parent’s new house on Abington Avenue, where he ended up living the rest of his life. He started coaching and volunteering at the Water Tower. Tony and Linda got married in April of 1972 at Our Mother of Consolation Church.
Tony began his recreation career in 1972 and held various temporary positions at the Water Tower until 1975, when he qualified for a government-sponsored program called CETA that trained city workers. This supposed one-year program lasted four years and in 1979 when the program ended and layoffs ensued, several people got involved, including then-Chestnut Hill Local editor Marie Jones, to keep Tony at Water Tower. Finally in August 1979, Tony got hired for a full time recreation position by Commissioner Robert Crawford.
In a city department where transfers happen frequently, Tony remained at the center for over 30 years. He outlasted several supervisors, all of whom considered him a true professional. They had strong working relationships but also close personal relationships with Tony. Steve Vesotsky, the District Four Manager and a very close friend of Tony’s, had this to say about him:
“As the District Manager, I am often away from the center [the Water Tower is also the District 4 office] and am not always available to handle emergency issues. But for the five years that I have spent at the ‘Tower,’ I never had to worry about things not being handled. Tony knew what to do, who to call and when to call. Numerous troublesome situations were averted due to Tony’s expertise and prompt action. His courteous and thoughtful nature put those he came into contact with at ease. Tony’s wealth of knowledge and experience were extremely instrumental in [my] performing my duties in a productive fashion. All I had to do was ‘bounce’ an idea off Tony and I knew that I would receive a compassionate, well thought out response. Tony will be missed not only as a professional, but also as a true friend.”
During his early recreation years and through the 1990s, Tony coached various teams, including the Our Mother of Consolation girls softball and basketball teams, which he led to championships. He also coached for the Father’s Club Friday night basketball league. He was the first coach for the Chestnut Hill American Legion team and he was the lead coach for the Little League Dodgers for 22 years, the team that will forever cement his coaching legacy, as he led them to 18 out of 22 championships and an unprecedented 40-game unbeaten streak. While he was coaching the kids at the playground, he also found time to coach his three daughters in basketball and softball. And most recently he was instructing his grandson in a bitty basketball program that he founded at the Water Tower that will forever bear his name, “Tony’s Little Dribblers.”
As Tony built his reputation as a good man and solid baseball coach, players from all over wanted to play for him. The Deputy Commissioner of Recreation brought his son from Roxborough to Chestnut Hill to play for Tony. One of his former players said, “Tony was the kind of coach that made you want to do your very best every time. You just never wanted to disappoint him, but even if you did fail, if you gave your best, he knew it and would be satisfied.” (Having coached with Tony for several seasons, I knew him to be a fair coach. He wanted to win, but also believed in giving players a chance to contribute.)
For over 30 years, in addition to being a coach, Tony was an advisor, mentor and confidante to countless Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy youth. On any given day you could stop by Tony’s office at the Water Tower and chat about everything from the Yankees to proper free-throw shooting to relationship trouble.
Making people laugh came easily to Tony and it will probably be one of his most fondly remembered qualities.
Tony connected with his players and all Water Tower visitors on a very personal level. Anytime that anybody needed something, Tony tried to find a way to help. Many credit Tony for turning their life around through his patience and understanding.
His family is very thankful for the many kind words and stories that loved ones shared after his passing. One friend relayed, “…The impact he had on my life was huge. The things that I learned about myself because of him have gotten me through some of the toughest times in my life and I think of him so often … He took me under his wing, taught me the game and gave me such confidence! But that wasn’t the real effect that he had on my life. It was what he taught me in the process about not giving up and sticking to my guns and working hard for something I really wanted. Mostly he made me realize I was worth something.”
When Tony wasn’t at the Water Tower, he was off enjoying the company of his wife, Linda, their daughters, Gina, Liza and Kara, and most recently their grandchildren, Anthony and Angelina. Tony believed that the most precious thing that you could give a child was time. Whether they were going to the shore, out to dinner, to the movies, or just hanging out at home, Tony’s favorite thing and biggest priority was being with his loved ones. A very close friend noted, “Tony and his girls spent more time together in the past 28 years than most fathers and daughters spend together in a lifetime.”
Tony’s grandchildren were the light of his life. No matter how sick or tired he was, whenever they walked in the room, he lit up. Tony always gave them everything that he could. Whether they wanted to play on the computer, sneak gum or candy without mommy knowing, dance and imitate movies in his living room, or just sit on his lap as he talked to them, they had him wrapped around their fingers. Even though they are only 18 months and three years old, they certainly felt his love and dedication every day of their lives.
Tony was a man of great character, wisdom, passion, integrity and strength. He brought laughter, hope, confidence and companionship to countless people. As Tony lived his life, he created a string of examples to live by. He taught his children and grandchildren the importance of believing in and sticking up for yourself, giving to others, especially the less fortunate, helping out in any way that you can, even if a person doesn’t necessarily deserve it, and, finally, playing with your heart not just in sports, but in life. He has certainly left an extraordinary legacy as a coach, friend, father and husband.
Tony earned the respect and admiration of thousands in his short lifetime. A friend wrote, “He will be remembered lovingly by so many that he touched, taught and helped to grow. He gave of himself so unselfishly and cared about so many. The void his family and friends feel is felt throughout Chestnut Hill, and all who knew Tony will miss him dearly.”
Tony truly was a legend and he will never be forgotten.
