Antonio C. Palanza

PORTLAND – Antonio C. Palanza, 98, known as “Tony” to friends and family, a resident of Portland, passed away peacefully at Northern Lights Mercy Hospital on Friday, March 10, 2023.

Tony was born in Portland on July 8, 1924, the middle child of three children of the late Pantaleone Palanza and Concetta (Mazzaferro) Palanza.

He was a dear brother to the late Dana Riesold of South Portland and the late Samuel Palanza of Daytona Beach, Fla. He was the beloved husband of Pearl (Munyas) Zak Palanza of Boca Raton, Fla. and former husband of Phyliss Palanza of Cape Elizabeth. He was a loving and devoted father to Jean Palanza of Gray, the late June Holmes of Cape Elizabeth, Anthony and his wife Linda (LaTorre) Palanza of Standish and the late Peter Palanza of South Portland and dear stepfather to Robert J. Zak of Charleston, W.Va., Jerilynn (Gordon) Omen of White Bear Lake, Minn. and Julie Burns of Beals.

Tony loved his grandchildren, Rob, Jacob, Angela, Concetta, Emily, Joe, Anthony, Donna and Olivia; 17 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. As part of his enduring legacy Tony has a great-grandson named Antonio and a great-grandchild, Cedric, born on his birthday, July 8.

Tony was an avid and accomplished golfer who shot his age at least one time each year from the age of 68 until the age of 87. He was a long time member of Purpoodock Club and Riverside Golf Club. He won many championships in Maine and Florida and with his son, Anthony, won the Maine State Father Son title three times. He was a home builder and he built many homes in Cape Elizabeth and South Portland with his son, Peter.

There will be a memorial service from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on June 2 at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodfords St., Portland. Please visit http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for further information and to leave an online tribute in Tony’s memory.