Obituary: Anthony ‘Tony’ Cretella, 50; Xavier-Middletown Graduate

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Anthony “Tony” Thomas Cretella, 50, passed away on April 5, 2022 in St Johns, FL and was the son of Joseph J. Cretella, Jr. and the late RoseAnn Marie Cretella. Tony was born in New Haven on September 14, 1971 and died on April 5, 2022 in St John’s.

Tony had many passions in life. He had retired from the U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security in 2021 after 26 years, where he fiercely protected our country from harm. Tony raised his family everywhere the government asked him to go including stops in El Paso, TX, Detroit, MI, Buffalo, NY and finally his last stop in St Augustine, FL.

Over the past 20 years, Tony coached many hockey and baseball teams that his sons were on. He loved teaching and thrived while being a role model and strong leader for so many young men, their families, and his communities.

Tony graduated from Xavier High School in Middletown where he was a captain on the football team. The day after graduating, Tony boarded a plane and joined the Marine Corps Reserve, where he trained for a summer prior to attending the University of Connecticut in Hartford. While at UConn, Tony was activated for the Gulf War in 1990 and sent to Camp LeJuene for 4 months. At the conclusion of the war, Tony went back to college at Southern CT State University where he decided to walk on to the football team.

After graduating from college, Tony moved to Washington DC and began his quest to work for law enforcement at one of the federal branches. This dream was realized when the Border Patrol called.

After moving to Florida in 2016, Tony’s love of golf sprouted and he became a regular at the Friday afternoon game at the club with Randy, James and the rest of his SJGCC family.

Recently retired from the Border Patrol, Tony put his handyman skills to work that he had inherited from his Mom and attempted to tackle any job put in front of him. More recently Tony became licensed as an insurance broker.

Tony leaves behind sons, Christian Cretella of St Johns, FL, Eric Cretella of St Johns, FL; Donna Cretella of Toronto, former spouse and mother of Christian and Eric; Father, Jay Cretella of Huntsville, AL; brother, Joseph J. Cretella, III of Milford; sister, Natalie Hoha of Huntsville, AL; and the love of his life, Christine Richie of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; as well as countless extended family and friends from all over the country.

Tony’s family will receive relative and friends at The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main Street Ext. on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery in West Haven.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.