Anthony “Tony” Joseph L’Abbate

Anthony “Tony” Joseph L’Abbate, 56, of Dickinson, Texas passed away June 8, 2010, at St. John’s Hospital in Nassau Bay, Texas.  He was born on May 9, 1954 in Gainesville, Florida to Joseph Paul and Josephine Opacity L’Abbate. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture. He married his devoted wife, Terri, on July 15, 2000.

Tony was a musician at heart, and has played in rock bands since High School. He also loved nature with a passion, and had a deep appreciation and respect for all that is green and beautiful. He moved to Houston, Texas in 1997 to jump start his second career as a Senior Designer with Lynn’s Landscaping of League City, Texas, where he was privileged to work with his closet friend, Greg Gripon, and Greg’s father, Lynn Gripon, who was like a father to Tony. Lynn Gripon was instrumental in guiding Tony into his wonderful relationship and marriage to Terri, as demonstrated in the pointed man-to-man talk, “When are you going to marry that girl?!”

Tony was gifted in the training and guidance of his adopted dogs, especially Katie and Lucy, who brought great love and companionship, to him and all who encountered them.

Tony is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Paul L’Abbate.  He is survived by his wife, Terri, his mother, Josephine L’Abbate of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, his sister, Joanne L’Abbate of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and his sister, Cynthia L’Abbate Darby, her husband and his brother-in-law, Kevin Darby, his nephew John Darby and his niece, Kelly Darby, all of Athens, Georgia.  Tony is also survived by his loving in-laws, Verner Hamilton Jones and Dorothy G. Jones, of Miami, Florida and his sisters-in-law, Dorothy Quallo and Sandra Shields.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm-8:00pm Friday, June 11th, and the service celebrating Tony’s life will be at 11:00am Saturday, June 12th, all held at Niday Funeral Home. The family will be hosting a reception at Tony and Terri’s home in Dickinson immediately after the Saturday service.