A lasting tribute to Anthony ‘Tony’ Grasso

Two years after his death, the Yorktown community gathered outside Town Hall Thursday to honor Anthony “Tony” Grasso, a man whose life was defined by service, friendship and a deep love for his town.

Grasso died Aug. 13, 2024, at age 96. On Thursday, his wife, Jennie Menton Grasso, and family joined community members to dedicate a bench in his memory — a lasting place for others to sit, reflect and remember a man who spent much of his life giving back to Yorktown.

A plaque on the bench reads:

“Your love built families

Your wisdom shaped lives,

Your kindness and contributions have forever shaped our community.

Love - Jennie and Family.”

Supervisor Ed Lachterman said Grasso was never particularly concerned with party affiliation. Instead, he cared deeply about the town and the people who called it home.

“He was always willing to have a conversation, tell you what you were doing wrong and his way to do it right,” Lachterman said, describing Grasso as a “wealth of information.”

Lachterman likened Grasso to a rabbi — a teacher he could turn to for guidance, perspective and a deeper understanding.

Born Dec. 20, 1927, Grasso served two years in the military, including 18 months stationed in Germany at the headquarters of the 66th Medium Tank Battalion of the Second Armored Division.

After returning home to Yorktown, he dedicated decades to public service. He served on the Town Board from 1985 to 1990 and spent many years as a district leader and chairman of the Yorktown Republican Town Committee.

But Grasso’s commitment to Yorktown extended far beyond elected office. He was involved with numerous civic and community organizations, including Circolo DaVinci, the Yorktown BPOE (Elks), American Legion and Knights of Columbus. He served as treasurer of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce, police commissioner and liaison to the Planning Board, Yorktown Police Department and Highway Department.

He also served as president of the Exchange Club, a Seton trustee, a member of the Yorktown Conservation Committee and past president of the O.J. Noer Turf Research Foundation at Michigan State University.

Over the years, Grasso was recognized for his contributions to the community, including being named grand marshal of the Yorktown Feast of San Gennaro in 2016. He received the METGCSA Distinguished Member Award in 2023 and the Yorktown Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellow Award.

His community service also included serving as commissioner of the Shrub Oak Athletic Club and as a Mass lector at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Shrub Oak.

For Grasso, those roles were more than titles. They were ways to connect with people, lend a hand and strengthen the community he called home.

Now, the bench dedicated in his memory gives the community a place to pause and remember a man whose service touched generations of Yorktown residents.