Last week, we lost Anthony P. Colavita, our friend, partner and one of the most gifted attorneys in our profession.
Tony’s presence filled every corner of our lives, whether it was in or out of the workplace or – to his delight – the courtroom. Every morning we would hear Tony coming down the hall, singing (off-key) the tunes of his musical heroes, Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan, and yelling “Good Morning!” to everyone he passed. His annual performance of The Worm dance at the firm’s holiday party is legendary.
Tony loved what he did – representing attorneys, accountants and other business professionals – hearing their problems and finding solutions. And he was respected by all – clients, adversaries, the courts, colleagues and competitors.
Tony was a true Renaissance man. Besides law, Tony would debate with whomever he could engage the fine points of sports, politics, history, ancient Roman anything, food, fiction or non-fiction literature. Tony spoke to everyone he met. Really, everyone.
While Tony took enormous pride in being an attorney, he adored spending time with his family, reading, catching some sun at Gin Beach or Ditch Plains in Montauk, a good cigar, and rooting for the New York Mets and his beloved Seton Hall Pirates basketball team. You want to take the measure of a man – look at the comments of his fellow Pirate fans as they mourn the loss of their section mate: Seton Hall Forum. Tony traveled to almost every Pirate home game.
Tony was raised in Bayside, Queens, where he attended Bishop Reilly High School. From there, Tony went to Seton Hall University where he majored in political science. He obtained a master’s degree from Columbia University before earning his Juris Doctorate at New York University Law School. He and his family were long-time residents of Manhasset – but his special place was his home in Montauk.
Tony passed away surrounded by his loving family including his wife of forty-six years, Adrienne, his children, Diana Colavita of Glen Head, NY, Vincent Colavita and his wife Lauren of Huntington, NY, Emily Fur and her husband Alex Fur of Los Angeles, CA, and his grandchildren, Elden and Nathalie.
Tony’s death is an immeasurable loss to his family, our law firm family and the legal profession. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Civil Liberties Union: ACLU Gifts.