OBITUARY: Longtime Town of Thompson Supervisor Anthony Cellini Passes Away at 83

MONTICELLO, NY–Longtime Sullivan County politician and businessman Anthony (Tony) Cellini passed away on Sept. 6 at the age of 83.

A longtime resident of Monticello in Sullivan County, Mr. Cellini was a tireless advocate for casino gaming, first as a Native American venture and later in support of the Resorts World Catskills project.

He was born on Dec. 5, 1940, on Thompson Street in “The Acre” in Port Jervis, NY, to Anthony Cellini, Sr., and Elizabeth (Adlon) Cellini. His parents were both immigrants, who instilled in Tony the value of hard work and perseverance that would guide him throughout his life. He was a proud graduate of the Port Jervis High School Class of 1958.

After graduation, he enlisted as a Military policeman in the Fourth Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. His military service took him across Europe. He was proud to have served and humbled to be celebrated as a member of Hudson Valley Honor Flight Mission 25.

Following his military service, an employment opportunity brought Tony to Monticello, where he would become part of the fabric of Sullivan County. In the late 1960s, he became the owner and proprietor of Roark’s Tavern, where he met the love of his life, Linda. Together, they nurtured a close-knit, loving family.

In 1974, Mr. Cellini first joined the Thompson Town Board. Over the next two decades, he simultaneously served as a councilman and worked as a regional director of the Salvation Army, helping to meet the needs of the most vulnerable among us. In 1994, he became Town Supervisor and found his life’s calling. For the next 20 years, until his retirement in 2014, he was an honorable and fierce advocate for the people of the Town of Thompson.

Following his retirement, he was the primary caregiver for his wife Linda during her 10-year-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She passed away on July 19, 2024, at the age of 77.

He is survived by his sons, Todd (Kristen), of Arvada, CO and Christopher (Christina), of Rock Hill, NY; his grandson, Doran; his granddaughters, Lydia and Emilia; his brother, Charles, and sister-in-law, Jean; several in-laws, nieces and nephews; and his “adopted daughter,” Meagan Galligan, and her wonderful family, who were a blessing to both Tony and Linda in the last years of their lives. He was predeceased by his parents, Anthony and Elizabeth, and his wife, Linda.

A memorial service is to be scheduled for later this fall. In lieu of memorial donations, the family requests that you keep those affected by Alzheimer's disease in your thoughts and take a moment in Tony’s honor to recognize the vital work of the many dedicated healthcare professionals in the community. They also encourage everyone to seize opportunities to serve our community and to approach disagreements with respect, remembering that opponents are not enemies.