Anthony "Tony" Baratta

Anthony (Tony) Baratta, 90, of Fresh Meadow, Queens, passed away Saturday, January 30, 2021, surrounded by his children. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Ann (Donnegan) Baratta and his long-time partner Rosemarie Damiano.
He was born October 10, 1930, in Vinchiaturo, Campobasso, Italy, to Frank and Grace (DiBiase) Baratta. He came to the United States as an infant and was raised in Fresh Meadow, Queens, where he loved music, playing the accordion and saxophone in a band. After completing high school, Tony obtained an associate degree in psychology from Queens College, City University of New York.
Tony exemplified hard work his entire life. As a young man, he worked in New York as a golf caddy, a stable hand at local horse tracks, and as a guide and horse trainer at local riding stables. He was a U.S. Army veteran of Korea, where he served as the 30th Ordinance Battalion Supply Sergeant. Ever the entrepreneur, during his spare time, he started an NCO club in Seoul that was the envy of all the officers. He dabbled in many occupations but spent most of his career as a restaurateur, owning and managing numerous successful restaurants in Florida and Oregon. Upon leaving his family home in New York, he lived in Amityville, NY, Albuquerque, NM, Orlando, FL, Miramar, FL, and Central Point, OR. He returned to New York in the mid-1990s following his wife’s death.
Tony was committed to caring for his family. He was an encourager, advisor, provider, prayer warrior, and cheerleader. He taught them to work hard, love family, be inquisitive, welcome and care for others, be adventuresome, take risks, and laugh. His frequent words of wisdom were, “Don’t be afraid to fail, for even the best baseball players only hit the ball one of three times.”
He is survived by three children: Leticia Baratta of Fresh Meadow, NY.; Janine Baratta (Dean Mitchell) of Fort Collins, CO.; and Frank Baratta (Denise) of Talent OR., as well as two granddaughters Tori Mitchell and McKenzie Baratta. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother Salvatore Baratta.
A Mass with an online option will be held at St. Nicholas of Tolentine on February 6, 2021, in Queens, NY. A celebration of his life and the internment of his ashes will be held as soon as it is safe to do so.