Obituary of Anthony Chirico

Our cherished friend and brother, Anthony J. Chirico, died at the Kingston Hospital on January 11, 2013, having endured a long illness with great dignity and courage. Anthony was born in Herkimer, N.Y., on June 20, 1948, the youngest child of the late Anthony J. and Frances Cimino Chirico. His parents were first generation Americans, having left their native Italy to start a new life in this country. Anthony attended Herkimer schools and went on to achieve a BA and Master's Degree from SUNY Geneseo and a Counseling Degree from SUNY Albany. Anthony was a highly respected and renowned teacher in the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Schools. He began his career as a teacher of social studies in the Junior High School in 1971 and transitioned to a position as guidance counselor in the 1980s, serving first in the high school and then in the middle school. Anthony received the BHBL Founder's Day Community Service Award, The Scholastic Book Company's Teacher of Excellence Award, the BHBL's 1973 Teacher of the Year Award and the Capital District Counselors' Association Award. He created the Military Mailbag program to support service men and women. It is an understatement to say that Mr. Chirico was a legend in his community, retiring in 2011 after having forever influenced the lives of countless students, faculty and friends. His career was truly his passion. In addition to his role as teacher and counselor in the school system, Anthony, who was known as Tony, Tone and AC, was a camp counselor and administrator at Camp Nazareth on Little Long Lake, N.Y. and at the CP Center's Clover Patch Camp in Glenville. Tony loved to be at a lake or among the trees and it was there that he formed friendships that would last a lifetime. Tone is survived by his sister Mary Chirico, who was his devoted companion, supporter and caregiver for many years. It was because of her sacrifices that he was able to live his dreams. He is also survived by his brother Francis Chirico (Mary), his sister in law, Rosemarie Chirico, his brother in law, Richard Golden, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings Anna Golden and Vincent Chirico. Anthony gave to every person he met the lesson of what it means to live with courage by using talents and abilities in the face of adversity. We wish to express our thanks to the many friends and colleagues who have supported Tone and his sister during this time. We would also like to thank the staff at Sunnyview Hospital, the Northeast Center for Special Care and the Kingston Hospital, in particular Dr. James Corsones and the nurses of the Kingston Hospital, for their gentle and professional care. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 9 a.m. at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glenville, NY. His burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, N.Y., at a later date to be determined. Calling hours will be Friday, January 18, from 4 to 7 p.m.at the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Road, Glenville. Donations in Anthony's memory may be made to Homes for Disabled Veterans at http://www.homesforourtroops.org