Anthony Macarelli

CLIFTON PARK - Anthony Macarelli, 78, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 10,2024 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, surrounded by his family. Anthony was born on June 13,1945 in Catskill, NY, the son of the late Vincent and Mary (Miller) Macarelli. He graduated from St. Patrick's High School and served in the National Guard before beginning his career as a hairdresser and owner of Anthony's Hair Concept in Delmar, NY. After years of dabbling in floral design and participating in, and chairing "New York In Bloom,"

Anthony took on a second full time job, as a partner in "Ambiance Florals & Events" in Albany. Anthony's true passion was hairdressing, where he found great joy, especially in the relationships he built over the years with so many of his clients, sharing in their lives and their milestones throughout the years as he watched them welcome children and then grandchildren, many of whom went on to become clients themselves. Due to health reasons, he was forced to retire in 2014, but often said he would never have retired had he had a choice, because he loved what he did, and loved the people he got to do it with.

Anthony was a friend to many, and a friend you would want to have. He had a gift for giving, and although he had a love of shopping, not all gifts were purchased. You would often find him preparing delicious meals for his family and friends, and often preparing, and delivering, a full three course meal (dessert was always included) to a friend who may have fallen ill or was just not feeling well. This was just who he was and one of the many things about him that made him so special. His desire to selflessly do for others is something so many will remember him for.

Family was most important to Anthony, and he would be the first to RSVP to a family gathering, whether it be a cousin's wedding in California or Texas, or a family get together locally. He had an extensive extended family and always welcomed the chance to get together whenever an opportunity arose. He passed along this love of family to his daughter, often inviting her to be his plus one at these events. Throughout the years, he would make numerous trips to Vermont to visit his daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons, and enjoyed having his grandsons come and stay with him and Dennis for a week each summer.

In his spare time, he enjoyed cooking, gardening, traveling, grabbing dinner with friends, throwing parties, going to the movies, and attending plays, concerts and shows. In recent years, he was unable to enjoy many of these activities, but he continued to find joy in spending time with his family and friends and was grateful for the time he and Dennis had together once Dennis retired. During this time, they gained a new appreciation for one another as they focused on what was truly important. Faith was always important to Anthony, but he soon found his faith become stronger than ever and found great peace doing the rosary each morning, something he and Dennis were able to enjoy doing together.

Anthony leaves behind his devoted partner of forty-three years, Dennis Chmura of Clifton Park, NY; his loving daughter, Regina (Eric) Howard of Underhill, VT, his grandsons, Ethan and Kyle, also of Underhill, VT; his sister, Marie (Skip) Selmer of Catskill, NY; his beloved Jack Russel Terrier, Mabel, as well as many, many family and friends, including Lucille Hafner, Steve Santabarbara, Tracey Morehouse, Margaret McGowan and Vicki Belaire, all of whom will truly miss him.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 6th at 1:00 p.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy Schenectady Road, Watervliet, NY 12189. Calling hours will precede the service from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Donations in Anthony's memory can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the Animal Protective Foundation, 51 Maple Avenue, Scotia, NY 12302.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below

And now, a tribute from Dennis…

Anthony and I met at a hair show more than four decades ago. At first sight of this dark haired, breathlessly handsome brooding faced man, I knew I would like to see a lot more of that, and for the next four decades, I did, and what a terrifically good fortune I had.

Soon after meeting at that hair show, we went on a date that lasted the aforementioned decades. We got to know each other and in the fashion of young couples, we decided to live together and see how things went. We bought a townhouse in Clifton Park, and I still remain there today.

Anthony was born and brought up in Catskill. He has a vast and loving family there, including a great former wife, Lucille, and beyond the capability of words, daughter Gina. It was good fortune to know them all.

Anthony was the sole owner of his eponymous salon and well known for his skills and professional attitude. He was always booked way out by a devoted and overflowing clientele. Anthony always expressed his gratitude to the fealty of those people who contributed to his success and personal pride.
Anthony loved all things beautiful and put much personal effort into helping that along. Those of you who saw prize winning trees at the Festival of Trees witnessed that. He also achieved laudations in garden shows, as well as "New York in Bloom." I just found a box of ribbons of recognition, too long resting in concealment in a drawer. It was good to give them another personal showing.

In my life, he contributed so much. We had the most beautifully decorated Christmas parties, and his culinary skills didn't hide in the shadowed corners either. Tons of Christmas presents, no one forgotten, and all beautifully wrapped. Always special things for me. One Christmas Eve I arrived from work and next to our beautiful tree was parked a blue Schwinn bike and a big, red ribbon. I was thirty-six at the time but felt like the happiest child in the world. Thanks for that dear!

Anthony was an excellent gardener and together we made a much-admired setting for our home. He set our walkway in pavers and tiled our front entrance. The results were perfection and remain that way all these years later. Everywhere I look, his influences remind. His talents didn't remain outdoors. He could cook and prepare for a party as well as any caterer and did so on many occasions. If it sounds like I was spoiled, you're hearing right. He was a terrific host and people looked forward to his invitations. As far as dressing for formal occasions, the man was an avatar of sartorial splendor! He knew how to wear clothes and privately, after the party, he looked quite fine when they were scattered on the bedroom floor or wherever!

As the decades flew by, Anthony pursued his floral interest and went in a partnership with Michele Peters, a great friend, to open Ambiance, a floral shop that thrives today. Anthony left the business because moving up on seventy, the hundred plus hours a week of hard physical work were beginning to evidence themselves. He returned to his full-time hairdressing, sold his salon, and became a booth renter. In his down time, he would run down to his aging parents, paint the house, and do whatever they needed. I admired him then, but as I write this now, the proportions of that admiration elevate.

I want to pause here and ask, "how lucky am I?"

Around this time, Anthony's health began to go all shaky. It took too long to diagnose that he had a somewhat obscure autoimmune disease. Bad doctors led him to a near death experience. Fortunately, we have a neighbor, Dr. Jose Pasada, who recognized the gravity of the situation and put him in the hospital immediately. Jose acted quickly and saved Anthony. It took time, but eventually we resumed life as people with autoimmune disease do. Thank you, Jose, you gave us ten more years. Robert Browing was right when he wrote, "come grow old with me, the best is yet to be," so we hobbled off to enjoy the rest.

I finally retired at 72, late by many standards, unless you're a president. These times we got to know each other better. Things like Anthony talking about his youth in Catskill. They lived in an apartment above the bowling alley, his aunt lived with them. He shared a bedroom with his sister and his aunt. It was quite awhile before he had his own room. His remark was not made in the fashion of a complaint, just the way it was.

Being old together was a new and pleasant time. We remembered the 26 years spent every spring and fall going to the same house at the Cape. Greenbriar at the beautiful Cobb Farm in Wellfleet. Dogs always in tow. First, Bob the kindly Great Dane, then Zelda the famous Jack Russell pickpocket and our great swimmer, Regan. Lots to remember with them.

In many ways, those conversations seemed as good, or better than us being there, memories improve with age. They are the only thing that does. In total, we spent a year's time at that house. We were surprised when we made that simple calculation.

We would remember that day at the hair show and how our lives changed. I took over the gardening several years ago and he cheered me on. He could spot a weed with the critical eye of an eagle. Life was good, he took over the driving after my stroke. Our best days were visits to the cemetery in Jefferson Heights to visit the family and do more remembering. A good Catholic boy always honors thy mother and father. I loved him so as he wandered the cemetery, he was a fine and admirable sight.

While raking up the past, we would recall all the trips he and his good friend, Tracey made to the Met in NYC as well as Cooperstown to see the opera. Fun to remember all the fine plays we saw at the small venues that existed then. Interesting turn of events for the boy who shared a room over a bowling alley.
Anthony was a kind and virtuous man. Decency came as easily to him as breathing. Words fall short of an apt description of such a person. In this, I have merely tried. Gratitude to God, Mary and Vincent Macarelli, and that fateful hair show, thank you for lending him to me for 43 years.