ANTHONY (TONY) D'AMATO

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ANTHONY (TONY) D'AMATO Anthony (Tony) D'Amato, former general manager of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, died Friday, July 7, 2006 at St. Charles Hospital, Port Jefferson, New York, after a brief struggle with cancer. He was 75. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Gabrielle, and his five daughters and their families: Tania and Ron Sloan of Winnipeg and their children Melanee and Elliott; Luisa D'Amato of Kitchener and her children Ruth and Tony; Jennie Dunn and Andrew Dunn of New York City, and children, Raphael, Julius and Imogene; Joanna McCloskey of Long Island and her children Michael and Christopher; and Antonia and Jim Brancato of Oswego, N.Y. He also will be missed by his brother Roger and his wife Anita, and countless friends and colleagues from his many years in the music business. Mr. D'Amato was born in 1931 in New York City of immigrant Italian parents. He studied at the Juilliard School of Music, New York University and Brandeis University. His education was interrupted when he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was hired by London Records (a division of British Decca) and worked in England for 20 years as artist and repertoire director. Among those whose careers he fostered were Leopold Stokowski, Annunzio Mantovani, Bernard Herrmann, Ethel Merman, Maya Angelou and Sean Connery. After his time in Winnipeg in the early 1980's, Mr. D'Amato brought artists such as Russia's Red Army Chorus, Britain's Royal Air Force band and the Vivaldi Orchestra of Moscow to North American audiences. He also was president of the Mantovani Orchestra. He lived life with integrity, charm, and a passion for everything good, from family reunions to fine wines. He lives on in his children and grandchildren.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 09, 2006