LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Tony Abone, Sr. upon the occasion of
his retirement after 38 years of distinguished service as Manager of the
American Legion Smith Post No. 24 Baseball Team

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated and outstanding coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those
outstanding athletic coaches, whose dedication and achievements have
been an inspiration to citizens of the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Tony Abone, Sr. upon the occasion of his retirement after 38 years of
distinguished service as Manager of the American Legion Smith Post No.
24 Baseball Team; and
WHEREAS, Born on January 8, 1933, in Rome, New York, Tony Abone, Sr.
proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during
the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his distinguished military service,
Tony Abone, Sr. worked as an aircraft sheet metal specialist at Griffiss
Air Force base for 37 years before retiring in 1988; and
WHEREAS, With a lifelong passion for baseball, Tony Abone, Sr. honed
his management skills at the Rome American Little League, Rome Federal
Little League, and Rome Farm League before joining the American Legion
Smith Post No. 24 Baseball Team in 1978; and
WHEREAS, For the past 38 years, this inspirational leader has served
as a Coach and Manager at the American Legion Smith Post No. 24, where
he has guided and mentored countless young athletes, and achieved
outstanding success; and
WHEREAS, During his illustrious tenure, Tony Abone, Sr.'s teams
compiled a 730-291-4 record, including five state finalist appearances,
two state titles, and numerous Oneida County and District V titles; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, Tony Abone, Sr. won his first New York State Base-
ball Championship coaching alongside Bill Vinci; 20 years later, he won
his second state title as Manager in 1998; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Manager Tony Abone, Sr.'s American Legion Smith
Post No. 24 teams appeared in the 2002 state finals, and recorded three
consecutive finals appearances from 2007 to 2009; and
WHEREAS, Since 1985, Manager Tony Abone, Sr. has been joined in the
dugout by his son, Tony Abone, Jr., who has assisted his father over the
years; he will be taking over managerial duties at the start of the 2016
season; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades during his
exceptional career, Tony Abone, Sr. was inducted into the Rome Sports
Hall of Fame in 2006; and
WHEREAS, Tony Abone, Sr.'s positive demeanor, selfless commitment, and
caring concern have contributed to his enduring success as a coach and
mentor, earning him the just respect and admiration of his community,
his peers, and the countless athletes he has so ably coached; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Rosemarie, and their
two children, Joe and Tony, Jr., all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when excep-
tional leaders of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Tony Abone, Sr. upon the occasion of his retirement after 38
years of distinguished service as Manager of the American Legion Smith
Post No. 24 Baseball Team; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Tony Abone, Sr.