Anthony J. Pandiscio, respected business leader and innovator, beloved husband of Constance, and devoted father and grandfather died on September 3, 2010 of complications from Parkinson Disease. He was 85. He was born in Fitchburg to Rose (Paglia) and Joseph Pandiscio both of whom had immigrated as teenagers from Italy in the 1920s.

    He graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1942 where he excelled in Track and Field and was Class President. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University in 1947. He served in the United States Navy as an Electronics Specialist during a tour of duty in The Philippines. He attended the Owner Management Program at Harvard Business School and specialty courses at Drake University and Boston University. He taught courses at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.

    Anthony, better known as “Tony”, was a Sales and Marketing Executive at Westinghouse for 16 years holding positions in New York City, Toledo, Des Moines, St. Louis and Boston before building a home on Woodridge Road in Holden when he accepted a new position as Sales Manager of Coppus Engineering in Worcester. While at Coppus he traveled the world extensively to grow the company into an international corporation and was Chairman of the Turbine Manufacturers Association and by the time of his retirement in 1991 had become Senior Vice President and Director.

    In the popular 1999 book “Flipping Coppus” by Robert D. Macomber, the author writes “Tony had accumulated the most stock. Tony was impossible but everyone loved him. He was thoughtful and clearly focused on the project or problem at hand. Tony was a good marketer and Tony had vision. He traveled to meet, to know and to learn about the customers in the markets. He built markets and he built and maintained relationships. Coppus products were sold throughout the world in large measure because of Tony’s vision and perseverance. He viewed these relationships as a precious asset. He also set a high ethical standard. When he retired in 1991, people came from all over the world to attend the party, including two who flew through a Middle East war zone against the recommendation of their own government.”

    Outgoing and affable, Pandiscio leant his expertise to many community organizations and corporate governances. He was a Corporator and a Director of Worcester County Institute of Savings and a Director of Bank of Worcester for 26 years, a member of the Advisory Committee of Bank of Boston, a Director of Quinsigamond Community College Foundation, and a Corporator of Holden Hospital.

    An avid golfer and devout Catholic, he was a member of Worcester Country Club, Meadows Golf and Country Club, Sarasota FL; St. George’s Mass Club and was a Christian Doctrine Instructor. In addition to golf, Mr. Pandiscio enjoyed sailing, drawing and painting, teaching, and time spent with family and friends.

    He leaves his wife of 59 years, Constance Marie (Kane) Pandiscio; one daughter Debra Ann Dunn of Londonderry, NH; two sons Richard Herbert Pandiscio of New York City and John Kane Pandiscio of Franklin; a brother, Francis of Fitchburg and two sisters, Eleanor Georgi of Gardner and Dorothy Bleau of Lubbock, Texas; and three grandchildren, Emily, Kyle, and Jami.

    The family wishes to extend its love and gratitude to Dr. William Blake, the caring staff of Knollwood Nursing Center and the Critical and Hospice Care Units of Memorial Hospital.

    Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 7th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. The funeral will be on Wednesday, September 8th, from the funeral home with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. George’s Church, 40 Brattle St., Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) at 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305.