Anthony Lawrence Lembo (Tony) passed away Thursday, August 19, 2021 at the age of 75 after a five-year battle with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a cancer affecting the blood in the bone marrow, which transitioned to acute myeloid leukemia.
Tony was born February 20, 1946 in Washington, DC to Rose Vallario Lembo of Washington and Joseph E. Lembo, an immigrant from Agnone, Italy. Tony was the middle child between his older sister, Joanne, and his brother, Larry. The family moved from Southeast DC to Bradbury Heights, MD where Tony attended Queen of Peace Catholic School, Gonzaga High School and Suitland High School. He proudly joined the United States Air Force and rose to rank of sergeant. While in the Air Force, he was stationed at Beale AFB performing a variety of duties, including support of SR-71 operations and training activities. Upon returning home, he attended the University of Maryland, College Park and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Tony met the love of his life, Anita, while they passed notes in the same accounting class in college. Anita and Tony shared the same Italian traditions, faith and appreciation for life. Recently, they celebrated 48 years of marriage; although Tony always sought a path to reach 50 years. Tony was a family man, endlessly supporting his children as he never missed an opportunity to watch Joe's hockey games, attend Vic's concerts, and build the Outer Banks beach house business with Lisa.
Tony had an admirable and contagious work ethic. Tony began his 17 years with Grand Union and Basics as a stocker in order to work his way through college. Soon thereafter he became the youngest District Manager overseeing food stores across Maryland, DC and Virginia with his keen ability to manage employees and relate to people. Tony was not done yet and dedicated nearly 20 years to the Federal government concluding as a Contracting Officer with the Library of Congress.
The abilities demonstrated in his professional career were the same tools he applied in countless volunteer roles to accomplish many community goals. He always sought to provide a positive influence to the youth by cultivating, educating and presenting opportunity. He was often called coach, manager and president while serving the community, especially in youth sports and school groups. He was proud to have started with coaching his brother, Larry, to most recently ""honorary"" coaching his grandchildren.
Of all the titles held and roles filled, the one he was most proud of was ""PopPop"". PopPop loved his six grandchildren. His primary focus over the most recent years revolved around his grandchildren and ensuring the impression of love, delivery of key lessons, such as ""God, Family, Country"", and passing down of family traditions. His zest for life and his grandchildren could be seen at school activities, in the bleachers, and on fields, and heard through his endearing stories, lessons and jokes.
Tony enjoyed a nice Italian meal, including homemade spaghetti sauce (not gravy) and pasta e fagioli that he made with his father, and our annual ""Feast of the Seven Fishes"" Christmas Eve dinner. He cherished time spent with his large family, including the Marinos, Cicionis, Vallarios, DiNapolis and Romanellos – in places locally and others such as the Poconos, Shenandoah, Outer Banks, Hyde Park and New Rochelle.
Tony was an avid sports fan, cheering for the Capitals, Yankees, Redskins, Terps and Fighting Irish. His first love was baseball. Other sport passions included fishing and golf and he was a championship softball player and bowler. Tony had a special bond with his dogs, Sporty, Brownie and Rex. Tony appreciated a spirited debate and the sharing of ideas. He loved doing puzzles and playing games, especially Uno and chess with his grandchildren and Sudoku on his iPad. Tony had an enthusiasm for music, dancing and singing – and he could always be heard singing in church. He had an extraordinary intellect to problem solve, strategize, plan and build. He had a superior ability to digest data and numbers in order to render clearly articulated directions and admirable decisions with full heart and no regrets. Though physically limited in final days, he remained mentally sharp and witty, often making family laugh with a spontaneous joke.
Tony, a proud, lifelong Washingtonian, most recently lived in Davidsonville, MD and was a parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church. Previously residing in Camp Springs, MD, he was an active member at St. John's the Evangelist Catholic Church in Clinton. Tony was involved in many organizations over the years, including the Oxon Hill High School Band Boosters (President) and Science and Technology Committee (President), Bishop McNamara Athletic Boosters, Mount Vernon Hockey Club (Board Member), Bowie Hockey Club (Board Member), Coach and Manager of sport teams beginning with his brother and continuing with his children, Community Worker at numerous fundraisers, polls, and Maryland Parks and Recreation events, Chair and Member of numerous Parent Teacher Associations, and Board Member of the Maria Grazia Panaro Foundation.
Tony is preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Joe; his sister, Joanne Marino; and his in-laws, Victor and Connie Romanello.
Surviving family members include his loving wife, Anita; children, Joseph (Misty), Victor (Tina) and Lisa (Steve) Frid; grandchildren, Anthony and Alexander Lembo, Giuliana and Luca Lembo, Anthony Jeffrey ""AJ"" and Thomas Frid; brother, Lawrence (Jan); brother-in-law, George Marino and nephews, his godson George (Betsy), Joseph (Kim), and John (Trayce); sister-in-law, Rita (Dick) Fuller; brother-in-law, Charlie Romanello; great nephews, Brody, Brooks, Joey, Cody, Bailey, Jack and Luke; great niece, Sydney; and many loving family members and friends.
Friends are invited to celebrate Tony's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Thursday, August 26 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD on Friday, August 27 at 12 noon. Interment, with military honors, will follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, MD. Following the interment, we ask family and friends to gather and share great memories with some of our favorite Italian food at 2:30 in Davidsonville, MD.
Tony was very thankful for all the attention and assistance his medical teams provided during his five-year journey, especially from Dr. Amy DeZern and Dr. Peter Graze. With their assistance and Tony's will and fortitude, he was able to accomplish what many believed was impossible and earned the name ""Wonderboy."" In appreciation and in lieu of flowers, gifts may be directed to support MDS research under Dr. Amy DeZern. Please make a gift online at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/kimmel. Click the 2nd option, titled ""Please use my gift to support a specific physician,"" add Amy DeZern, and further down, select ""In Memory Of,"" and add Anthony Lembo as the honoree. Doing so would be in the spirit of Tony who sought to provide feedback at every turn with hope it would help someone in the future.
