Obituary: In memory of Thomas Anthony Stanco

Thomas Anthony Stanco, 80, a Centerport resident for 50-plus years, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 28, surrounded by family. Affectionately known as Tom or Tommy, he was born Dec. 3, 1944, in Glen Cove and grew up in Oyster Bay and Locust Valley.

He married Linda M. Stanco in 1971, and had a successful career at Dun & Bradstreet, Grumman Aerospace Corporation and Suffolk County Board of Elections. 

Stanco always put loved ones first. He delighted in family gatherings, especially Sunday pasta nights, backyard barbeques, holiday celebrations and milestone events. Stanco was fun-loving and had a way of making people smile; he was always ready to tell stories, make a joke or grab a nearby object and pretend it was a hat.

An avid cook and fearless experimenter in the kitchen, he perfected recipes from eggrolls, vanilla custard and rum balls to fettuccini alfredo, baklava and buttermilk biscuits (which were the star of every holiday feast).

His other passions included gardening, cuddling his cat Latte, relaxing in Florida and Sag Harbor, playing solitaire, researching family genealogy, indulging in ice cream, discussing airplanes and vintage cars, scoring great deals at garage sales and being with family and friends.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Linda, daughter Jessica Rubano, son Matthew Stanco and grandsons Joseph Rubano and Michael Rubano.

Donations in his name can be directed to Last Hope Animal Rescue at lasthopeanimalrescue.org/donate-to-last-hope.