Anthony Edward Forgione
Artist. Marine. Father. Grandfather.
An amazing artist, marine, father, grandfather, and human being, Anthony Edward "Tony" Forgione was also known as "Tough Tony". In his lifetime he created almost 900 pieces of artwork. All of the original pieces were hand painted, drawn, carved, built or chiseled by him alone. He was born on August 21, 1921, to Mary and Joseph Forgione, lived and grew up with his 5 sisters and brother in Port Washington, NY. His earliest drawings and paintings come from his his time at Port Washington High School.
During his four years of service during WWII in the U. S. Marine Corps, he faced battle many times as he was in the first wave to land at Iwo Jima, then on to Tinian and Saipan. There are several paintings of his experiences there. After returning home, he attended Syracuse University where he earned a degree in Fine Arts.
It was at Syracuse that he met his wife, Diana Anthony, and they were married in 1950. They later moved and lived near Boston with their 3 children, Leslie, Dana and Douglas. He later had seven grandchildren of whom he was exceptionally proud.
He worked for the City of Boston for many years as Commissioner of Real Properties and then as Commissioner of Parks and Recreation. It was there he suffered an accident that left him paralyzed on the left side from the chest down, and needing a leg brace and crutches for the remainder of his life. Over the years the City of Boston commissioned him to do several sculptures, including gifts presented to Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, and Arthur Fiedler. He created monuments for the U. S. Marine Corps. He cast original bronzes, as well as reproductions of Greek and Roman classics. His works include stone, wood, clay and ivory sculptures; oil and water color paintings; sketches and drawings; blueprints; and stained glass. The quality and quantity of his work in all mediums is astounding.
The bronze sculpture "Release" is in the permanent collection of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art at St. Petersburg College, Tarpon Springs, FL. The wood relief carving "The Gift" is on permanent display in the Hospice and Palliative Care Unit of the Miami VA Community Living Center of the Miami VA Healthcare System. This is where they diligently cared for him during his last days. He passed away on September 19, 2010 at 89 years old.
He is greatly missed, but his artwork has left a legacy of beauty that we would like to share with the world.