Anthony 'Tony' James Caravetta

FAITH, FAMILY, FOOTBALL 

Anthony 'TONY' James Caravetta, 82, a resident of Cape Coral, FL for the past twenty years, formerly of Brigantine, NJ, passed away Tuesday, October 31, 2023 in Cape Coral. He was born March 26, 1941 in Newark, NJ to James and Loretta Caravetta, now deceased.

Anthony “TONY” was of the Christian faith. Tony played college football at University of Southern Mississippi -- The Golden Eagles. He coached many north New Jersey high school football programs, which are now regarded as some of the best HS football programs in the entire country. His football mentors were legendary NJ coaches, Al Rotella (U TENN), Steve Girdi, and Mike VanZile. Mike and Tony coached Passaic Valley to a Group IV State Championship in 1986, where Tony was the Defensive Coordinator that proved to be one of the toughest defenses in the entire nation, beating #1 Ranked North Bergen in a huge upset victory.

Coach Tony was known for player development and had an uncanny ability to bring each of his players to higher levels. Tony was one of the first members back in the early 1970's of the National Strength and Condition Association to work directly with players on building power, explosiveness and to develop fast twitch fibers through resistance/assistance, plyometrics, tubing & parachuting workouts, which today is just starting to be introduced some 50 years later in top HS and college programs.

Tony was a man of few words, but he knew how to motivate and inspire the people around him. Case in point, Tony developed his own son, Anthony Jr, who was on the sidelines with Tony much of his coaching career serving as the ball boy and water boy into an All-American athlete.

Tony is said to have not been a wealthy man, but was one of the richest people everyone knew. He was a guy's, guy, loved his wife faithfully for 51 years. He prided himself in putting God #1 in his life, followed by his love of his life -- Karen, his 3 children and his 7 grandchildren. He was a man of great integrity, morals and values. Tony would speak freely around his closest friends and family but was always courteous, compassionate and understanding towards everyone else he met and knew. Tony’s favorite conversations revolved around God, Family & Football. He was most joyful at church with his family, coaching a football practice or game, or watching his son Anthony or grandson’s Darien, Dean & JAC play football. Tony was most pleased to see his legacy and athleticism transfer to his granddaughter Juliana while playing lacrosse for some of our nation's most elite girls' travel programs. Last year, Tony was thrilled to experience and help his son Anthony, now coaching his own grandson JAC, in MS football. Their team went on to win the Miami Extreme Super Bowl and went on to become the #1 Ranked U11 Team in the US. JAC was the starting offensive Center. In Tony’s last week, he was able to see his grandson JAC win a special offensive player award from his new MS football team in Miami at The Palmer-Trinity School.

Tony made a big splash over the past 20 years in the Cape Coral, FL area where he taught several subjects in a few different middle schools as well as coaching football and track. He did this up until a few months before his death. Tony loved reading his history books on the beach during his pastime.

There were many times Tony’s family didn’t think Tony would live past the halftime of life, due to some life-threatening surgeries over his middle-aged years. But after defying all the odds, Tony had a celebrated 3rd quarter and record-breaking 4th quarter of life, transferring all his life’s greatest lessons to those around him. Although Tony’s family and friends would have loved to see him in OT -- Overtime, the greatest coach and the father to us all, decided to call Tony up for the eternal BIG GAME in heaven and to see in person the real, true and only G.O.A.T. - Jesus.

Tony died with dignity and with great peace inside his own home sitting down with his final prayers and thoughts.

The recent outpouring of letters, emails, texts from family, friends, co-workers, football players and even acquaintances have been overwhelming. Tony will be missed most by his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, sister and his best friend -- his son Anthony Jr whom they would speak everyday.

Tony is now playing in the grandest game of all, with his heavenly father, creator and savior Jesus on the purest of green pastures and goalposts made of pure solid gold.

Tony is survived by his loving wife, Karen Caravetta; children, Laurie Serad of Atlantic City, NJ, Lisa Seidman of Marlton, NJ, and Anthony Caravetta (Danielle) of Miami, FL; sister, MaryAnn Warden (Tom) of Pequannock, NJ; as well as grandchildren, James Anthony Caravetta (JAC), Juliana Caravetta, Darien Seidman, Dean Seidman, DeAnna Seidman, Leana Cordi, and Dominik Cordi.

Services to be held November 12th at 4pm at Calvary Temple International, 1111 Preakness, Wayne, NJ.

Tony’s Life Celebration Party will be immediately following the church service located at The Brownstone, 351 W. Broadway Patterson, NJ 07522

Memorial Contributions in memory of Anthony James Caravetta are suggested to https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.