Anthony A. Ventresca

     Surrounded by his loving family, Anthony A. Ventresca, affectionately known as Sonny, peacefully passed from this life to the next on Thursday, May 21, 2015.  He was a man of integrity, strength, and determination, who lived a life filled with the love of family and friends, fun and hard work.

     Born in Wilmington, Delaware, on August 22, 1928, the eldest son of the late Martha C. (Krajewski) and Ralph T. Ventresca, Sr., Anthony will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of almost 37 years, Marjorie (nee Guididas); his three children, Diane M. Dambach, Victor A. Ventresca (JoAnna), and Gail M. Maida (Dominic J., Jr.); his four grandchildren, Jeffrey Dambach, Nick Maida (Beth), Tony Ventresca (Gina), and Angie Falkenstein (Mike).  He is also survived by his siblings, Ralph T. Ventresca, Jr. (Dottie), Betty Gallo (Tony Parisi), Richard Ventresca (Phyllis), Sandy Burkholder (Bob), Judy Stephenson (Ned); and his sole-surviving aunt, Anna (Ventresca) Figliola.  Having been a member of a large extended family, Anthony also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins to cherish his memory.  In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Grace (Lutz) Ventresca; his son-in law, Jeffrey K. Dambach; and members of the extended  Ventresca and Krajewski families.

      Anthony began his career in construction when he was a young man working as a mason and concrete finisher for his grandfather’s business, A. Ventresca and Sons, alongside his father, uncles, and brother, Ralph.  Upon completing a course of study from the Chicago Technical College, he and Ralph co-founded Ventresca Bros., Inc., General Contractors, in 1957.  Anthony was extremely proud of his accomplishments in residential and real estate development, such as Yardley Place and L’Hermitage, as well as the multitude of commercial and institutional construction projects completed during his tenure as company president until his retirement ten years ago. 

     Anthony was a founding member of the Associated Builders and Contractors-Delaware Chapter, and a vice president and long time board member of Cavaliers Country Club, where he enjoyed many years as an avid golfer and social member.  He and his wife, Marge, vacationed several winters in Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton, Florida, and enjoyed many trips in the states, the Caribbean islands, and in Europe, during which he most enjoyed the culture, history, and architecture of his ancestral home, Italy.  Anthony loved “watching” televised sports and attending UD football games and thoroughbred races at Delaware Park.  During the heyday of Brandywine Raceway, he and his brother, Ralph, owned several standardbred horses that provided family and friends with plenty of exciting nights at the track.

     Friends may call the morning of Wednesday, May 27, from 8:30 until 10:15., at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church, routes 141 and 100, Greenville.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30, and interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anthony’s memory to Catholic Charities of Delaware, 2601 West 4th St., Wilmington, DE 19805 (www.ccwilm.org).          

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