Anthony "Tony" J. Gagliano

Anthony J. (Tony) (A. J.) Gagliano, Jr., 54, took the hand of our Lord late Sunday afternoon, November 15, 2009. He was surrounded by his family and friends at his home in Ocean Springs, Ms. Tony was born on June 28, 1955, at Luke AFB in Arizona. He was a graduate of Ocean Springs High School Class of 1973 and was a 12-year student of the Ocean Springs School System. He played trumpet in the school band and played for the Ocean Springs High School football team, enjoying an undefeated season and the conference championship his senior year. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Tammy K. Gagliano, two daughters, Laci M. Gagliano of Mobile, Al., and Lindsey M. Gagliano of Ocean Springs, Ms., his parents, Anthony J. Gagliano, Sr. and Shirley M. Gagliano, his sister, Sandra E. Gagliano, all of Ocean Springs, Ms., his brother and sister-in-law John G. and Beth A. Gagliano of Gulfport, Ms. and several nieces and nephews. He loved to play the guitar, was a self-taught guitarist, and played lead guitar in several local bands, even going on the road with a band playing gigs around the country. Tony worked at Ingalls Shipbuilding for several years as an electrician, and then went on to be a boom operator and navigator on a Seismograph Ship in the Bering Sea of Alaska and off the coast of California. He worked as an Electronics Technician and Electrician for construction of the Navy “Landing Craft Air Cushion” (LCAC) and was also the LCAC Navigator for Sea Trials. He then went back to school in the year 2000 and received a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). After Hurricane Katrina, Tony worked as the construction superintendent of Camp Victor in Ocean Springs restoring hundreds of homes that had been badly damaged by the storm. There is still a mural of Tony on the front wall of Camp Victor showing Tony playing a Guitar. In 2008 he became a Building Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Ocean Springs. He was an all-around Renaissance man, founder of “Iron Head Productions”, building and repairing computers, designing web pages, shooting and editing various local film projects, photography, cartooning, construction projects, home improvements, carpentry, and running a small beef jerky business with customers all over the world. His talents were endless. There was rarely a moment when he was short of a witty comeback or wisecrack, and he truly upheld his philosophy that life is not to be taken seriously. He was a creator, a builder, a comedian, a caring soul, a husband, father, brother, son, and faithful friend. Never hesitating to put others before himself; he was a rock upon which his loved ones leaned; a foundation for family and friends alike. Most importantly, his presence is still strong and ever present; never subject to erosion; one which will be felt by all those that he loved or impacted forever. The family wishes to thank all of Tony's friends and classmates. We will be forever grateful for your outpouring of love and support. Visitation will be at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs on Friday November 20, 2009 from 5:00 p.m.until 8:00 p.m. Family and friends will meet at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs on Saturday, November 21, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. for a funeral procession "around the beach" to Christus Victor Lutheran Church for a service at 2:00 p.m. by Pastor Terri Stagner-Collier. A private service for internment will be held at a later date. Who'll carry the mail?