I am very saddened to know that my dear cousin Tony Grapes (Anthony Mangiaracina) is no longer with us. Tony was a very dear cousin and friend to me. For many years we shared our genealogy research and family history together. Tony is so amazing because he found me on the web through genealogy. I will never forget how happy I was to hear from Tony. He knew some details of our family history that no one else would have known. That is how good Tony was as an investigator. He knew how to find people and he knew how to do an excellent job. We always double checked our findings when we thought we found another ancestor or living relative somewhere and through it all Tony always found a way to make me laugh. I loved Tony so much as my cousin and he was like a dad to me because he found me a few years after my dear dad had passed away. I could always count on hearing from Tony and we emailed each other several times a day. So now Tony is gone from this world and he has left a very big hole in my life. He is the last of the seniors on my fathers side and now I won’t be able to share with Tony my genealogy research and anything else I needed to tell him about and needed his opinion. Since I received this sad news Tony has passed away, I spent most of the week praying and crying realizing I will never get to talk to Tony again. I can only imagine how deeply saddened and what a loss this is for Tony’s family. Tony was brilliant, honest, very spiritual and had a great sense of humour. I loved to share sarcastic comments back and forth with him and there is no one left in my family who I can have that kind of fun with. I am very sad but I keep Tony’s family in prayer.

Now when I think of Tony I will know that he is living in the big mansion in heaven. But I am willing to guess Tony will still be keeping an eye out for his family here and watching. Probably he is going to wonder when we will dry our tears and be joyful to remember him as always full of life, now spending the rest of His life with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savoir. So in spirit I don’t believe that Tony will ever leave us. But chances are very strong that God is going to still give Tony his assignment to continue finding all kinds of people. In heaven I am sure that by now Tony has tracked down every ancestor and family member by now, including his long time friends who have passed away. I don’t believe that Tony would just be sitting around in heaven taking a vacation because he always has a job to do, and if no one thinks of it for him, he will think of one himself. Tony really had a great memory because he told me he remembered meeting my dad and his brother in New Jersey when they were young and so I hope that by now Tony has also found my dear dad and give him a big hug for me, and together they can share stories and talk more about the family history we will never hear about.

The memories and stories we all have in different ways are still alive because Tony left his legacy as the Great American Investigator. Even though Tony is not here in this world, I will always remember him.

Peace be with you my very dearest cousin Tony, and may His heavenly light shine upon you always and forever. May your new journey be filled with joy, and God’s eternal light forever and ever. Look for me dear cousin Tony when God takes me even though I expect I will be here in this world for a long time especially because now you have left me with a very big pile of our genealogy research that I am going to have to organize, even though I had hoped you would have finished that job for me..

Sabinidica caru cugino, un bacione e abbracci to mia cugino Tony.

My sincere heart felt prayers to Tony’s family. Sabinidica e abbracci e un bacione a mia Mangiaracina famiglia.

O Father of all, we pray to thee for Anthony Mangiaracina we love, but now no longer see. Grant him thy peace; let light perpetual shine upon caru Tony; and in thy loving wisdom and almighty power work in caru Anthony the good purpose of thy perfect will. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

From your Cousin, Stephanie Zito

New York

A candle was lit by Stephanie Zito on June 26, 2015 7:57 AM

Message from Joe Brzostowski

June 25, 2015 9:13 PM

As a young agent in Newark, NJ I had the privilege to work with Tony :Grapes". What a wonderful man to be around. He imparted a lot of practical wisdom to me about " the job" which served me well over the years. What a good man he was.
My sympathy to the family. God bless you all. I know Tony is with the angels.

A candle was lit by SJH on June 25, 2015 2:05 PM

A candle was lit by Art Scalzo on June 25, 2015 1:48 PM

A candle was lit by Valerie Wittstadt on June 24, 2015 9:34 PM

A candle was lit by Colleen Whelan on June 24, 2015 8:48 PM

Message from Ron Brogan

June 24, 2015 8:40 PM

All who knew Grapes loved him. and will miss him. I am pleased to have kept in touch with him till the end. It is still a shock.

A candle was lit by Ron Brogan on June 24, 2015 8:38 PM

A candle was lit by Laurie, Elie, Ashley, Allison and Lauren Machalany on June 24, 2015 6:32 PM

A candle was lit by Elizabeth Mangiaracina Whitter on June 24, 2015 6:08 PM

Message from Frank Guzman

June 24, 2015 5:47 PM

I met Tony during the spring of 1966 when I was a new FBN Agent in New York City. He gave me lots of good advice, was always available to help me and a great guy. May the good lord bless him and his family!

A candle was lit by Frank Guzman on June 24, 2015 5:44 PM

Message from Bob Benson

June 24, 2015 3:23 PM

I had the pleasure of meeting Tony in the NY ofice in the late 60'6 and early 70's.
He was a mentor to many agents.His knowledge and quick wit were a great source of instruction and entertainment. They are not making like him any more.
Rest in peace Tony

A candle was lit by Bob Benson on June 24, 2015 3:16 PM

Message from Joe "JOE Q." Quarequio

June 24, 2015 3:15 PM

I have great memories of having worked with "Tony Grapes" in New York City in
the 1970's. The world has lost a great man.

Message from Richie Oakley

June 24, 2015 3:13 PM

To the Mangiaracina Family: Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss.
Tony and I met back in 1974. We were both agents in the Newark, New Jersey Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). I was the one who introduced Tony to the birds that he started to collect. He was a lot of fun to be around and we were connected on FaceBook. I will always have fond memories of him.

May God Bless and keep you in his care.
Richie Oakley

A candle was lit by Joe and Nina Quarequio on June 24, 2015 3:10 PM

A candle was lit by Richie Oakley on June 24, 2015 3:07 PM

A candle was lit by Marion and Sharon Hambrick on June 24, 2015 1:31 PM

A candle was lit by Angela Mangiaracina on June 24, 2015 1:30 PM

A candle was lit by Frank Gill on June 24, 2015 11:17 AM

Message from David Hoyt

June 24, 2015 10:28 AM

Tony made the Monday Morning roll call at 90 Church Street an event not to miss. His humor and sarcastic wit lightened up the day and set a tone for the upcoming week. When I was drafted in 1972 and returned to the New York office a week later I earned the title "Soldier Hoyt". Tony never called me anything else from then on.
You couldn't ask for a better mentor who knew the important from the bureaucratic bull****. I learned a lot from you, Tony. Thanks from an old friend.

A candle was lit by David Hoyt on June 24, 2015 10:21 AM

Message from Rosario maggio

June 24, 2015 9:57 AM

I MET GRAPES WHILE WORKING FOR THE FORT LEE POLICE DEPARTMENT NARCOTICS BUREAU. GRAPES WAS WORKING OUT OF 970 BROAD STREET IN NEWARK D.E.A. I HAD THE PLEASURE AND HONOR OF WORKING WITH TONY ON DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS WHEN HE WOULD COME TO FORT LEE AND ASSIST IN SOME OF THE LARGER CASES.ANTHONY AND I BOTH SHARED SOME PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT HERITAGE AS YOU CAN IMAGINE WITH A NAME LIKE ROSRIO (Russ) MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO HIS WIFE AND FAMILY AND TO A DEAR FRIEND CIAO BELLO!

Message from ROSARIO(Russ) MAGGIO

June 24, 2015 9:38 AM

I MET GRAPES WHILE WORKING FOR THE FORT LEE POLICE DEPARTMENT NARCOTICS BUREAU. GRAPES WAS WORKING OUT OF 970 BROAD ST. NEWARK, I HAD THE PLEASURE AND HONOR OF WORKING WITH ANTHONY ON MANY OCCASSIONS WHEN HE WOULD COME TO FORT LEE AND ADVISE US ON LARGER CASES. WE OFTEN SHARED SOME LAUGHS RE: THE HERITAGE WE BOTH SHARED, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE WITH A NAME LIKE ROSARIO (Russ).
MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO HIS WIFE AND FAMILY AND TO A DEAR FRIEND CIAO BELLO!

A candle was lit by ROSARIO (Russ) MAGGIO on June 24, 2015 9:26 AM

Message from FRANK WHITE

June 24, 2015 7:50 AM

I WORKED WITH TONY IN THE NEW YORK FBN OFFICE. TONY LOVED PEOPLE AND THEY RESPONDED TO HIS RICH AND MISCHEVIOUS HUMOR. HE LOVED LIFE AND IT SHOWED IN EVERYTHING HE SAID AND DID. AN AGENT WITH COURAGE AND INTEGRITY. HE IS NOT A MAN WHO WILL BE EASILY FORGOTTEN. I SALUTE ONE OF OUR AUTHENIC HEROES OF A GRIM AND OFTENTIMES UNPOPULAR WAR, WHO GAVE ALL OF HIMSELF TO THE CAUSE HE SERVED..

SEMPER FI
FRANK WHITE

Message from camille colon

June 24, 2015 7:31 AM

My deepest sympathies for your loss

Message from Ed Magno

June 24, 2015 5:21 AM

Tony was one of those unique, special people that leave their mark in the hearts and minds of those they meet. He understood the really important things in life, as he once told me "family first in the end that is all you have" Rest in peace old friend!

A candle was lit by Ed Magno on June 24, 2015 5:16 AM

A candle was lit by George and Michele Mangiaracina on June 23, 2015 8:21 PM

Message from Theodore Handoga

June 23, 2015 7:05 PM

Met and worked with Tony IN NYC in the early 70"s. He was a hoot to work with and he taught me many things about working for the Bureau and life in general.

I will miss his many emails both serious and entertaining. I will especially remember him as a good family man who would never compromise his principles.

It is my hope that we will see each other again in Heaven.

John 14:6-7
Eph. 2: 8

Message from Fred Gregory

June 23, 2015 6:47 PM

I met Tony in Newark in 1977. After my retirement from DEA we became email buddies
I was saddened to learn of his passing.

Tony was one of a kind. ---. a diamond in the rough. One can not have helped but to admire and respect Tony's achievements in the face of adversity. He had spunk and an indomitable spirit . I have lost a special friend.

To his wife and children I wish you God's strength during this period of grief.

Peace

Fred Gregory
Greensboro,NC

Message from Lee Hughs aka Dep

June 23, 2015 6:34 PM

Stay in touch "Grapes" your briefings will be missed as will your smile and sense of humor. Lee

Message from Hub Kelsh

June 23, 2015 5:52 PM

to Tony's family: Your loss is shared by Tony's fans and friends, who will also miss him. I met him at FBN offices, NYC in the mid 1960s. The work he did required dedication and courage. His efforts made the world a little bit safer.

Message from Rick and Suzanne Barber

June 23, 2015 4:38 PM

I never met Tony in person, but I "knew" him as a friend over the past two years through his correspondence with my Dad, who like Tony was a former federal narcotics agent and ex-Navy. Tony had a wealth of knowledge, gained from a life of many world-wide experiences, and also a great sense of humor. He will be sorely missed. Our deepest condolences for your loss.

Message from William Mattingly CAPT (Ret) USNR

June 23, 2015 3:33 PM

I only knew Tony as a fellow retired DEA Agent but we exchanged many emails re the Navy, FBN, & DEA. I'll miss Tony for his humor, devotion to his friends and humor, for his devotion to his Church and to his country. He was one of a kind, never again to be known to me. Tony, old pal, we will miss you.

Message from Bill and Anna Ashcraft

June 23, 2015 3:10 PM

Our best to Tony's family. Tony and I (Bill) were the same age but I never met him, other than by email correspondence. He was obviously a great guy, a very good Agent, and very proud of his Sicilian heritage. We will really miss his presence on the email trail.

Best wishes,

Bill and Anna Ashcraft

A candle was lit by Jim Cappola on June 23, 2015 3:06 PM

Message from Jack and Sandy Bullard

June 23, 2015 12:19 PM

I only met Tony in person one time, but we exchanged many e-mails over the past several years. These exchanges allowed me to develop a close personal relationship with him.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. I lost a close friend.

I want to express my sincere condolences to Yolanda and the rest of the family. We prayed for you this morning and will continue to pray for you in the days ahead. May our Lord and Savior embrace you with his loving arms.

Heaven has a brand new angel!

Jack and Sandy

A candle was lit by Griselda and Louis Mangiaracina on June 23, 2015 12:00 PM

A candle was lit by Concetta and Darrell Buckner on June 23, 2015 11:53 AM

Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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