Toniann Concato

Toniann Concato, age 58, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2022 in the loving presence and care of her family.

Toniann was born and raised in Belleville, NJ. After graduating from Belleville High School in 1981, she attended Montclair State University before settling into a successful career as a licensed beautician. She was the best beautician on earth, but she’d often say to her follicly-challenged husband Michael, “I’m a beautician, not a magician!” Toniann worked for many years for Guy Anthony Salon in Clifton before pausing her career to raise her two sons Michael, Jr. and Marc.

One night while out to see a band playing at Hartley’s in North Arlington with her girlfriend Nadine, Toniann was approached by a handsome and outgoing guy named Michael Concato who spotted her from across the room. They got to talking and eventually realized they had actually met before. In fact, Toniann had apparently rented an apartment next to where Michael lived and they even had a conversation while Michael worked on his boat and Toniann worked on her irises. That night at Hartley’s they made a more-lasting impression on each other and after dating for a period of time, Mike approached Toniann’s father, Angelo Tursi, and asked him for permission to marry his daughter. Angelo gave his blessing and Michael wasted no time. That very night, while at his sister’s house, he asked Toniann to be his wife and she was more than happy to say yes. They excitedly planned the wedding and exchanged their marriage vows before God, family, and friends on Friday May 31, 1991 at Holy Family Church in Nutley. It was a beautiful spring day and after the ceremony, the party of all parties was held at the Ridgefield Regency on Bloomfield Avenue in Verona. After a trifecta honeymoon to Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and Cabo, St. Lucas, Toniann and Michael began their life together as husband and wife at 29 Parson Road in Clifton. Soon after the blessed birth of their two sons – Michael, Jr. in 1993 and Marc in 1995, the whole family moved to their present home in Wayne.

Toniann devoted herself to the care of her family and new home and she was the best wife and mother ever. It has always been said that the way to a mans’ heart is through his stomach. Toniann was an amazing cook and had no problem winning the hearts of all the men in her life. She won her husband Michael’s heart with her chicken and rice recipe. Michael Jr. loved her chicken cutlets, Marc was all about her white spaghetti, and her father Angelo was always glad to show up for her homemade Pasta Fagioli. Toniann poured herself into the care of her sons. From the time they were little boys until they were young men, she never missed an opportunity to be their greatest cheerleader at all of their countless sporting events and she was the proudest mom in the world at all their birthday celebrations and milestone moments, award ceremonies and graduations. Throughout their childhoods, she, Michael and the boys enjoyed fun and enriching trips to numerous destinations.

One would think that raising a family would be more than a full-time job, but Toniann found time for other pursuits too. When her boys were in school full days, she returned to full-time work for 19 years with the Wayne Board of Education. The consummate hostess, her home was always a welcoming place for her sons’ friends, and her own girlfriends would often gather too for a haircut and style. Those were fun times of catching up on all the latest goings on in each other’s lives and they would often evolve into a party-like feel. In between she enjoyed pursuing one of her own favorite pastimes – gardening. In fact, Toniann even went to school to become certified as a master gardener. Her yard was equivalent to a botanical garden – beautiful to behold and bountiful with so many gorgeous flowers which she loved to cut and arrange to give to family and friends. She could even propagate one plant from another and many of those new plants became gifts to beautify the gardens of extended family and friends. Toniann also grew the most delicious vegetables which made for the freshest ingredients in her delicious recipes. Sure to be by her side while working in the yard was her buddy Lucky, a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. She and Michael welcomed Lucky into their home as a Christmas gift for Michael Jr. and Marc, but Lucky became the life of the whole family – especially to Toniann who treated him better than a human sometimes.

In recent years Toniann dealt with some health issues. It was hard on her and her family who loved her so much. However, no matter what the challenge was, Toniann always put one foot in front of the other. She never gave up and was the biggest fighter. Toniann truly was Wonder Woman to her family and friends.  She eventually adopted Krater, a service dog that she got from a wonderful organization called Paws with a Cause. A jet-black Standard Poodle, Krater quickly became extremely devoted to Toniann and was always by her side, ready to help. Krater assisted Toniann with walking and he could fetch things for her and even get her the phone. She used to joke that Krater would even screen her calls. Throughout her struggle, Toniann’s strong, positive outlook on life always radiated through her big smile. She had the most steadfast positive attitude and she never gave up, always finding her strength, not in herself, but through her faith in God. Every day she thanked Jesus for a new and beautiful day and made sure to spread that message with her family. She would exclaim to Michael and Marc before bed “Remember to thank Jesus for a beautiful day!” She had a wow factor that amazed everyone and she loved and was deeply loved by Michael, her beautiful boys, her precious parents, dear siblings, nieces, nephews and friends.

Toniann was the beloved wife of Michael, blessed in marriage for 30 years. She was the most loving mother of Michael Concato, Jr. and Marc Concato; proud daughter of Angelo and Lola Tursi; dearest sister of: Frank Tursi, Romona Borgo, and Lisa
Cordovano; and dear aunt of: Rick, John, Lorenzo, Vincent, Ron Jr., Cayci and Racquel.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Toniann’s name are asked to consider:

Paws with a Cause
National Headquarters
4646 Division
Wayland, MI 49348

To donate online, CLICK HERE