Anthony Sonny Maffe

Anthony Albert Maffe III, a.k.a. "Sonny," age 87, of Phoenix, went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, December 4th, 2015. Tony, the second son of Anthony Albert Maffe, Sr. and Anna Abramowitz, was born in Elizabeth, N.J. on July 24, 1928. He was married for 511⁄2 years to his wife, Agnes M. DeFrança, until her passing in January 2002. Tony and Agnes were blessed with one daughter and three sons. A patriot and a proud Marine, Tony was a middleweight pro boxer in his 20s, a hardworking insurance professional, a committed volunteer and greeter at his church and Deer Valley Senior Center, an avid runner, an all-around handyman, a “pro” at gardening, a great swimmer, a miniature poodle lover and owner, and he enjoyed traveling across our beautiful nation. Tony was well known for his pristine, manicured “golf course worthy” lawns. He was a fan of boxing, the Phoenix Suns, James Bond, Rocky Balboa, Walker Texas Ranger, and cherished meeting heavyweight boxing champs Jack Dempsey and Floyd Patterson.

Tony is predeceased by his loving wife Agnes, oldest son Steven, parents Anthony and Anna, two brothers (also named Anthony Albert!), four sisters (Antoinette, Annette, Nanette, and Ann Marie), and granddaughter Angela Everhart. Tony is survived by his daughter, Toni Marie Everhart and husband David of Phoenix; son Mike Maffe of Artesia, CA; son Brian Maffe of Lexington, OK; 12 grandchildren (Jill, Steven, Lisa, Diane, Mandy,Deseraye,Nicole, Michaela, Sarah, Sterling, Micah, and Lincoln), 17 adorable great grandchildren, and many loving sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Services with military honors are planned for Monday, January 11, 2016 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 23029 Cave Creek Road in Phoenix at 12:30 p.m. sharp (per the military). In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Tony's name to Desert Breeze Community Church, Hospice of the Valley Gardiner Home, or Barrow Neurological Foundation/Parkinson’s Center.