Obituary of Anthony J. Bagonis, Sr.

Anthony John Bagonis, also known as Tony, or from a nickname from his high school football team “Bags,” passed away peacefully, early in the morning of January 24^th, 2025. Tony was born to Anthony A. Bagonis and his wife Aldona P. (Snyder) in Kingston, PA. He started life in a coal mining town around Swoyersville, PA. His family moved to Brookhaven, Pa, where Tony grew up on Greenwood Street.

In his youth, Tony excelled in baseball and football but ultimately settled on playing football for St. James Catholic High School. He was a smaller guy on the team, and when he put on his uniform, it was so big it looked like he was wearing bags, so his teammates dubbed him with his nickname which his close friends have called him, endearingly, through his life. Tony was scouted by several colleges when playing for the Bulldogs, and earned a scholarship for football choosing to play for Lycoming College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in business administration. After college, Tony started a job with Roadway, where he was eventually promoted to be the terminal manager for the Philadelphia location.

Tony married Brenda Cooke, and moved to Warrington, PA, where he and Brenda raised their children, Tony and Kristin. Tony enjoyed coaching his daughter’s softball and basketball teams for Warrington Athletic Association. He loved going on canoeing trips in the Pine Barrens with his son’s boy scout troop, golfing, playing in the men’s softball league, and watching the Eagles and Phillies games. He especially enjoyed being with his grandson, Kellen, and their sword fights and water gun battles.

Tony is survived by his son, Tony Jr., his daughter Kristin Kastelic (Len), his grandson Kellen Kastelic, his friend and former spouse, Brenda Bagonis-Cooke, his sister, Patricia Sacks (Edward), Robert Bagonis (Annie), Joseph Bagonis (Carolina). Tony loved his family and friends deeply, and he will be greatly missed.

Visitation: Thursday, January 30th after 10:00AM at the Church of Our Lady of Charity, 231 Upland Rd., Brookhaven, PA 19015.

Funeral Mass: Thursday, January 30th at 11:00AM at the church.

Interment: SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers or gifts, please donate to the St. James Catholic High School Alumni Association https://stjbulldogs.org/donations/ or to the Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.