Anthony Joseph Dacunzo

What an amazing man. My grandfather. My “popi!” I am proud to say he was my grandfather. He was very intelligent. I always told him “they don’t make them like you anymore popi!” He taught me so many things. First, he was all about teeth. As a kid he instilled that into my sister and I. “Always brush your teeth” he’d say. And he would stay on us about it and thanks to him I have a good smile. Good teeth. Im weird about it now and have instilled it into my own kids. Everytime I brush my teeth I think of him. He even took me to the dentist when I was a kid & Lord knows it was a HUGE deal bc nobody wanted to take my drama self, but he did it. I credit you for that popi! Nobody wanted to do it. And yes, I screamed and cried and I was exactly what everyone said I’d be…drama. But he took me. He sat there & listened to me have my fit. He took me for ice cream afterwards. He was by my side anytime I needed him. In my late 20’s he & my nana were there for me when I had nowhere to go and no idea on what to do. He was the one who would drill in my brain that I needed to believe in myself. He would go out of his way for anyone if that’s what he felt necessary. Alot of people knew him around town. He had the same routines. I remember he would wake up super early to make breakfast for us as kids. And even as an adult he’d wake up and have breakfast ready. Reading the paper. At the kitchen table. He always made sure I had my fave coffee creamer…hazelnut. As an adult, he knew I wasn’t into breakfast as much. My son was. So I’d drink coffee. He knew that. It was the little things he did that always made a difference in my life. And both my son’s lives. I’m glad he got to know them both. He was closer with my oldest of course. He always took up for Jordan. He always said “he’s a good kid. He is smart!” And he was right. He is smart. My youngest, who is two, loves popi! Walks into my grandparents house like he owns the place and he says “where’s popi?” And goes on the hunt for him. Haha!
One thing I have to say about my grandfather is the biggest thing he taught me throughout life….”Family First!” I cannot tell you how many times in my life he has stressed that to me. It has stuck with me for what seems to be forever so far. I will never forget those words. He always says “choose family first!” He was all about family. He loved his wife, his boys, his sister’s, his parents, his nephews and nieces. I heard a lot about them all only didn’t ever get to meet half of them. I’m at peace knowing he has been reunited with his loved ones including my sister. His other granddaughter. Who was his favorite! He loved that girl so much. She was his “Jake the Snake!” And I know she welcomed him with open arms along with the rest of his loved ones. I will always have a special place in my heart for him. He loved me through thick and thin. He & my grandmother both loved me when they didn’t really have to. They took me in and loved me and they never stopped. He will be truly missed. Everything always feels different after losing a loved one. Almost like a piece of your heart went with them. I guess when you feel like that, it means you are still connected to that person. “A grandfather is someone who has silver in his hair, but gold in his heart.”
The head of our family is no longer here and we all feel his absence very much. Thinking back, he and my grandmother were HUGE in my life. Growing up and still to this day. How blessed I am to say they are my grandparents?!
Popi, you are truly missed already. I carry you in my heart forever. I will keep my promise and i will see you again one day. You’re supposed to greet me by the lake with open arms. Until we meet again. I love you! More than you ever know. Sending my love and good vibes to the rest of his family. The ones that are still here. His wife, his children, his niece’s and nephews, all of them. I hate we lost a wonderful man, but heaven gained an amazing angel. I know he will be watching over us all.