Anthony D Comito

Anthony D. Comito, 93, of Palmer Township, formerly of Phillipsburg, NJ, died peacefully in his daughter's home, October 1, 2025.

Born April 9, 1932, with the help of a midwife, at 122 Mercer Street in Phillipsburg, NJ, Anthony was the son of the late Antonio Comito and “Sadie” (Saverina Sgrenci) Comito.

“Tony” or “Ant” was a 1950 graduate of Phillipsburg High School, this being his 75th class reunion year.

As an extremely proud member of the United States Air Force, Anthony served during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955.

He was a member of St. Philip and St James Catholic Church since childhood and enjoyed participating in the church and attending services alongside his family.  He also attended Masses with his family at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church.

Anthony also served as a member of Warren County’s Knights of Columbus Council #474 of Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

Anthony worked proudly alongside his father, brother, and nephew in the family contracting business, A. Comito and Sons of Phillipsburg, NJ, for over 50 years. Some of Phillipsburg’s memorable places built by the Comito family business are the St Luke’s Warren’s MRI center, the iconic Stop 'n Go (now Chase Bank), and spiritedly laid the signature memorial bricks at the foot of the Christopher Columbus statue in front of St. Philip and St. James Elementary School, where his children, nephew and nieces all attended.  He loved helping his family and friends with their building or remodeling projects in his spare time. 

The Comito’s converted the former parsonage of the First Methodist-Episcopal Church in Phillipsburg in 1965 to the Joseph A. Noto Funeral Home, now the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home. Anthony’s most cherished project was building his family's ranch home on Morris Street

More than just brothers, Anthony and Dominic were true partners in business and in life. Together, they built not only lasting structures in their community but also a close-knit extended family among their children—and now their children's children—instilling strong family values and traditions that will endure for generations to come. His legacy lives on in the buildings he helped create, the community he served, and the family he nurtured.

Anthony was a huge boxing fan. As a boy, when all his friends received snow sleighs as Christmas gifts, he, on the other hand, joyfully received a pair of boxing gloves. That began his lifelong love for boxing. Anthony loved going to matches and was even once seen trotting down to the ring in Atlantic City alongside Iron Mike Tyson. He was a common visitor at Deer Lake sparring camp, where he became friendly with Muhammad Ali. He adored having friends over to watch matches on “fight nights”.

He excitedly tried out for, and was chosen to be an extra in two films that were shot on location in downtown Easton: The Dane Curse and The Rocky Marciano Story. A bonus to his delight in retelling the stories was that he also had lunch with the movie stars on set.

His most loved things to do in life were telling jokes and having coffee and cake with friends.

Anthony married the love of his life, the late Shirley C. Comito (Gregory d. 2022) and was married for 65 years. He is survived by his children: a son, Gregory Comito and his wife Cynthia, two daughters, Toni Lynn Melhem and her husband Maynard and Terri (Theresa) Comito; His grandchildren: Ryan and Gregory Comito II, Sabrina and Nicholas Melhem.

He also leaves behind nieces and nephews: Dominic Comito, Christine Dorner, Nancy Hefele, Anthony, Steven and Douglas Gregory; Daniel, Robert and Stanley Goit, Roxanne and Tracy Gregory; Great nieces and nephews Jelissa Weston, Sadie Byles, Steven and Hanna Doerner and Peter Hefele II.

A brother, Dominic A. Comito and his wife, Virginia "Ginny" C. (Hudick) Comito both died earlier.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Philip and St. James Catholic Church, 426 S. Main St, Phillipsburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 in the church. Entombment with military honors will follow the Mass at Holy Apostles Mausoleum, Greenwich Township, N.J.

Funeral arrangements: Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 S. Main St, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 (www.noto-wynkoop.com).