Four Seasons' Tony Colagiovanni loses battle with leukemia
Four Seasons' Tony Colagiovanni loses battle with leukemia
Ron Carkoski, president and chief executive officer of Four Seasons Produce Inc. in Ephrata, PA, said the produce industry has lost a friend with the passing of Anthony Francis Colagiovanni, who died Jan. 11 following a yearlong battle with leukemia. He was 57.
"It's quite a loss," Mr. Carkoski told The Produce News.
"Tony joined the Four Seasons family in January of 2000 as a member of the buying team and developed into the role of lead buyer before his illness struck," Mr. Carkoski added.
One of the things that Mr. Carkoski said he will always remember is Mr. Colagiovanni's infectious attitude. "He's one of those guys who had a huge Italian smile," he said.
"Tony's commitment to excellence, unwavering integrity, unbridled enthusiasm, contagious smile and passion for the industry is interwoven into the threads of the lives of his associates as well as his supplier and customer friends," added Mr. Carkoski. "That will be a part of Tony's legacy well into the future."
After the normal course of treatment failed, Mr. Colagiovanni underwent a bone marrow transplant at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore. Following treatment, Mr. Colagiovanni let it be known that he intended to return to Four Seasons at the beginning of 2008.
"Holly [Colagiovanni] said Tony absolutely loved being at Four Seasons," Mr. Carkoski added. "Holly said they talked and said they were meant to be part of the Four Seasons family."
That family extended well beyond company walls. According to Mr. Carkoski, this past September, Diamond State donated use of a condominium at the beach in South Carolina to help raise funds to defray extended housing costs for the family while Mr. Colagiovanni was undergoing medical treatment in Baltimore. In all, more than $8,000 was raised.
Shortly after Christmas, the family learned that the procedure was not effective. Despite the news, Mr. Colagiovanni and his doctors continued the battle. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.
Mr. Colagiovanni was born on June 6, 1950, in Cleveland and lived in Willowick, OH. Prior to joining Four Seasons Produce, Mr. Colagiovanni worked as director of produce operations and head buyer for Reider's Stop- n-Shop in Solon, OH. Mr. Colagiovanni was a U.S. Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Christina Colagiovanni; his mother, Christine Colagiovanni; a brother, John Colagiovanni; and a sister-in- law, Cindy Redlick.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Holly A. (nee Redlick) Colagiovanni; his children, Jason, Gina and Antonette; his grandchildren, Arianna, Sierra and Sienna Colagiovanni; a sister, Angie Colagiovanni; a brother, Chris; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Monreal Funeral Home, 35400 Curtis Boulevard, Eastlake, OH. The funeral service took place Jan. 18, and Mr. Colagiovanni was buried at the All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township.
"It's quite a loss," Mr. Carkoski told The Produce News.
"Tony joined the Four Seasons family in January of 2000 as a member of the buying team and developed into the role of lead buyer before his illness struck," Mr. Carkoski added.
One of the things that Mr. Carkoski said he will always remember is Mr. Colagiovanni's infectious attitude. "He's one of those guys who had a huge Italian smile," he said.
"Tony's commitment to excellence, unwavering integrity, unbridled enthusiasm, contagious smile and passion for the industry is interwoven into the threads of the lives of his associates as well as his supplier and customer friends," added Mr. Carkoski. "That will be a part of Tony's legacy well into the future."
After the normal course of treatment failed, Mr. Colagiovanni underwent a bone marrow transplant at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore. Following treatment, Mr. Colagiovanni let it be known that he intended to return to Four Seasons at the beginning of 2008.
"Holly [Colagiovanni] said Tony absolutely loved being at Four Seasons," Mr. Carkoski added. "Holly said they talked and said they were meant to be part of the Four Seasons family."
That family extended well beyond company walls. According to Mr. Carkoski, this past September, Diamond State donated use of a condominium at the beach in South Carolina to help raise funds to defray extended housing costs for the family while Mr. Colagiovanni was undergoing medical treatment in Baltimore. In all, more than $8,000 was raised.
Shortly after Christmas, the family learned that the procedure was not effective. Despite the news, Mr. Colagiovanni and his doctors continued the battle. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.
Mr. Colagiovanni was born on June 6, 1950, in Cleveland and lived in Willowick, OH. Prior to joining Four Seasons Produce, Mr. Colagiovanni worked as director of produce operations and head buyer for Reider's Stop- n-Shop in Solon, OH. Mr. Colagiovanni was a U.S. Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Christina Colagiovanni; his mother, Christine Colagiovanni; a brother, John Colagiovanni; and a sister-in- law, Cindy Redlick.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Holly A. (nee Redlick) Colagiovanni; his children, Jason, Gina and Antonette; his grandchildren, Arianna, Sierra and Sienna Colagiovanni; a sister, Angie Colagiovanni; a brother, Chris; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Monreal Funeral Home, 35400 Curtis Boulevard, Eastlake, OH. The funeral service took place Jan. 18, and Mr. Colagiovanni was buried at the All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township.
