Former Midget Car Owner Tony Yacovone Passes at 93
Tony Yacovone was a midget car owner with ARDC and NEMA spanning the 1940s through the 1960s, winning at Candlelite, Plainville and Stafford. His drivers included NEAR Hall of Famer Sparky Belmont, Buddy Chase, Bill Dils, and NEMA champion Bill Eldridge.
Anthony J. Yacovone
Anthony J. Yacovone 1919 – 2012
EAST LONGMEADOW – Anthony "Tony" Joseph Yacovone, 93, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle passed away on December 8, 2012. Born in Springfield, he was the son of the late Enrico and Rachel (Carosella) Yacovone. Tony proudly served as a Motor Machinist's Mate, First Class in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the European and Pacific Theaters. He also took part in the Normandy Invasion. In 1956-1964 he was the owner/operator of Yacovone Auto Body. After which he worked for Springfield Lincoln until he retired in 1977. He was a member of the Springfield American Legion and a communicant of St. Paul's Church in Springfield.
Tony loved building midget race cars and was involved in racing all over the North East. He also was an avid golfer and a fan of the New York Giants. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his 2 children, Juliana Arietta and her husband, Ralph of South Salem, NY and Paul L. Yacovone and his wife, Nancy of Springfield; 4 grandchildren, Susan and Paula Arietta, Paul Yacovone and his wife, Lindsay and Dianne Yacovone; a great grand-daughter, Eleanor Yacovone Wilson; a sister, Philomena James of Agawam; a brother-in-law, Ralph Laino and his wife, Joyce of Lakeland, FL. Tony's funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 14th at 11AM in St. Paul's Church, 235 Dwight Rd., Springfield. A committal service with military honors will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to , P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005. Arrangements are entrusted to Hafey Funeral Service. www.hafeyfuneralservice.com.
Sources: The Republican