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Dennis Anthony "Tony" DeStadio, 72, of Huntingdon, passed away Wednesday. Born in Altoona, he was the son of the late Anthony C. and Mary Jane (Troiano) DeStadio.
Tony is survived by his longtime love, Renee Lucas, of Huntingdon; his sister, Patricia "Patty" (DeStadio) Urbon and her husband, Bradley "Brad," of Highland Heights, Ohio. He cherished being "Uncle D" to his nephews, Christopher Urbon and wife, Dr. Sarah Urbon, of Philadelphia, and Mark Urbon and fiancee, Lilly Chisholm, of Ardmore, Pa. He dearly loved Renee's children, Ryan Lucas and his wife, Brandi; and granddaughters: Madison and Mia of Hollidaysburg and Amy (Lucas) Gonzalez; and grandson, Geoffrey, of Birmingham, Ala., who will always remember him as "Tone-Tone." Tony will also be missed by his many cousins and friends.
Tony attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School and Bishop Guilfoyle High School (Class of 1971). He earned a bachelor's degree from York College of Pennsylvania and an associate's degree from Harrisburg Technical Community College.
Tony was a travel agent after college, but then turned to teaching and coaching basketball. He was an administrator and coach at Central Penn College where he built the basketball program from the ground up. He served as Vice President of the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (EPCC) and as the Northern Pennsylvania Junior College Conference tournament coordinator.
Tony assumed a position with the Baldridge Reading and Study Skills Program based in Ohio, where he taught college students transitional skills from high school to college all over the east coast. When he came to Juniata College in Huntingdon, he met Renee and decided to settle there. He taught at the Huntingdon Campus of DuBois Business College, the State Correctional Institution-Huntingdon and spent the latter part of his career serving as a substitute high school teacher for various local schools in the Huntingdon area, as well as coaching basketball at Juniata Valley and Mount Union High Schools.
Tony never had children of his own but played a vital role in so many children's lives. He was a true optimist ... the glass was always half full … with a love of life. He was patient, kind and loving. There is a void in the universe and a hole in our hearts.
He loved a good "who done it" book, a movie or a meal -- and always joked that he lived to eat. He loved all types of music and to sing along. He treasured anything associated with his Italian heritage, enjoyed watching college basketball and other sports, either in person or on TV. He was always ready to travel whether to some new place or the same familiar places. He wanted to turn 70 in Las Vegas, which he did with 10 friends and family members. Also, in his retirement, he enjoyed a cruise to Alaska and Canada, and a cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii and back. He was always ready to pack his bags and go!
Tony had a strong religious faith, including being a confirmed member of the Roman Catholic Church. Most recently, he shared his faith with Renee, serving as an assistant in worship at the 15th Street United Methodist Church in Huntingdon.
Friends will be received from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Santella Funeral Home, 1106 Eighth Ave., Altoona, with a Catholic prayer service at 4 p.m.
Friends will also be received from 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at 15th Street United Methodist Church, 1500 Moore St., Huntingdon. A lunch will follow. Interment will be private at Calvary Cemetery in Altoona.
Memorial contributions may be made to 15th Street United Methodist Church; or to Mount Carmel Restoration Fund.
santellafuneralhome.com