Anthony R. Belfiore, age 66, of Pompton Lakes, passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2018.

Anthony (Tony) was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. After attending Cardinal Hayes High School, he went to work in the engineering department at the New York Hilton Hotel. While working by day, he attended classes in the evening where he ultimately earned his certification as an engineer.

One day while working at the Hilton, his boss sent Tony to his home to pick up a file he had forgotten. When he arrived at the boss's house, he was greeted by his boss's daughter who was just leaving to take a geometry exam at her high school. Her name was Michelina "Michele" Carrozza and Tony was immediately smitten by her. It just so happened that a few days later, it was Michele's birthday and much to his satisfaction, Tony's boss invited him back to the house for coffee and birthday cake. Now these events were happening in the early 1970's a time where the common fashion of choice was bell bottom blue jeans and flannel shirts. To make a good impression, Tony chose otherwise. He showed up smartly dressed like a real gentleman! Upon his arrival at the house Michele exclaimed "What are you doing here?" Tony handed Michele a gift of Shalimar perfume - something he had learned young ladies like from his days working in a local pharmacy where girls like Michele's were always coming in to purchase some. Tony enjoyed the evening and, as he was getting ready to go home, Michele's father gave her a little kick under the table as if to say "Walk him to his car!" Outside by the car Tony wasted no time asking Michele for a date. The perfume was classy, but getting asked out by Tony on her birthday, October 17, would ultimately prove to become the greatest gift of all. Their first official date just the two of them was three days later on Friday, October 20 which just happened to be Tony's birthday. They went to the Windjammer Restaurant located on the top floor of the Marriott Hotel off Route 80 in Saddle Brook. Tony loved the purple V-neck dress that Michele wore that night. The two spent the night discussing life, love, religion, and fate. They also found it ironic that they had both been praying for God to bring someone special into their lives.

A little over a month later, he proposed to Michele but, because she was still in high school, she turned him down. Determined to "seal the deal", soon after, Tony presented Michele with a beautiful promise ring. They ultimately exchanged their marriage vows before God, family and friends on Friday, August 25, 1974 at St. Francis Church in Ridgefield Park. It turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year...98 degrees! The newlyweds began married life together in Bergenfield before moving to Pompton Lakes where they lived since 1977. The next 43 years of marriage turned out to be a match that could only have been made in heaven. Tony loved his "Shelly" as he affectionately called Michele so dearly! Michele fondly recalls how, when they were dating, Tony would always end the night with a kiss and the words "My, love, my dove, my beautiful one." Their blessed relationship began on Michele's birthday-October 17, and on the day that Tony passed away, he was in Valley Hospital and the pillow that his head rested on just happened to have Michele's birthday/first date day, October 17 printed on it. Coincidence?

Tony enjoyed a great and prosperous career as an engineer that spanned 44 years  -  all in New York City. After four years with the New York Hilton from 1970 to 1974, he went to work for Citi Corp before spending the bulk of his career with Olympia and York -  Brookfield from 1978 to 1998. He wrapped up full time work with Power Concepts where he worked from 1998 till retiring in 2014.

It seemed that Tony never saw a car he didn't like. Consequently, he presently has eight cars in his driveway including his prized 1999 Corvette. His love of cars started at the young age of 16 when he purchased a 1955 blue Chevy Impala two-door hardtop which he raced in Long Island and in Englishtown. He kept that car until the 1980's and, while his racing days were long behind him, Tony's daughter Tina Marie will always cherish memories of going for rides in that car with her Daddy. Presently he was restoring a Mercedes SEL and he also had two BMW's, a Dodge pickup, two conversion vans and a Nissan Altima. Interestingly, most were manual transmissions!

Tony's love of cars was not just limited to the ones he could get in and drive. He also loved playing with remote controlled cars  - actually any remote controlled toy including remote-controlled tanks, planes, and he even had a remote-controlled boat which he named "The Blue Tub". They were a lot of fun and a great hobby to share with his grandchildren who meant the world to him. In fact, almost every one of Tony's hobbies was shared with his family. He loved to read books, especially ones about cars and World War II, and this knowledge too, he loved to enthusiastically share with his grandchildren.

Tony taste in music was wide-ranging. He was an excellent singer and his son Anthony, Jr. will always remember waking up on Saturday mornings to the sounds of his father loudly singing along with recordings of Luciano Pavarotti or Andrea Bocelli. You never knew what Tony might be listening to... Johnny Mathis one day and the next day Dire Straits, but he was always singing and his voice will be dearly missed in the house.

Tony loved fixing things too and he could fix virtually anything. His engineering spirit wasn't just limited to his profession. To him, shopping in Sears Hardware was like shopping in a candy store where the candy was the coolest new tool. All those tools were well-worn making things and fixing things in his own house and in the homes of his own kids.

Tony's family was his world. When shopping in Costco, which was another of his favorite places to visit, Tony could often be seen filling the cart and when Michele would ask what this or that was for, he'd always say "This is for when the kids come over". He loved having them visit and his eyes lit up anytime he could hang with one of his grandchildren. On Thanksgiving, the tradition always included watching Polar Express together. It was a great way to usher in the holiday season together as a family. All of his grandchildren were significant to Tony in their own unique and special way and he was always glad to share the love of God with them.

Tony's faith in God was a very important part of his life. He entered into eternal rest with the sounds of Andrea Bocelli's song "Time to Say Goodbye" playing in the background. It's hard to say goodbye, but Tony found comfort in God's promise of eternal life for those who believe in His saving grace. It was his wish for his family and friends to share that faith.

Tony was the beloved and devoted son of the late Joseph and Josephine (Leotta) Belfiore, husband of Michele; loving father of Anthony R. Belfiore, Jr. and wife Marianne of Mahwah, and Tina Marie Belfiore-Logan and husband Damion of Pompton Lakes; cherished grandfather of: Danielle Renee, Tyler John, Anthony Robert, III, Christopher John, Samantha Michele, and Ava Grace Belfiore, and Gabriel John, Elijah Joseph, and Raphael Xavier Logan; dear brother of Marie Belfiore of the Bronx, NY, the late Angelina Belfiore, and the late Orazio "Sonny" Belfiore; and special uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Anthony's name are asked to consider Save the Children 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400 Fairfield, CT 06825 (savethechildren.org), or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Processing 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959 (www.stjude.org).