Anthony Rosario Occhiolini

Anthony Rosario Occhiolini (November 17, 1924 -- May 31, 2026) had great hair, never did his homework, and loved going down the shore. He also loved to tell the story of his own arrival in 1924: the seventh of seven siblings, he was born at home in South Philly by the family doctor, who rushed over fresh off a cross-Atlantic voyage. At eighteen, he was drafted into the Navy and served in WWII. Upon his return, he was recruited to work at the first computer startup, Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation. He worked on the UNIVAC-I computer, the first digital computer for commercial production. He rose to supervise 150 employees, and through this work met his wife, Margaret Hanna Occhiolini. They had three children: Lisa Occhiolini, Nina Occhiolini, and Michael Occhiolini, who they raised in a revolutionary-war era barn the couple refurbished. The Barn remained a home for the whole family up to and throughout his passing. While he refurbished the stone walls and rebuilt the insides with his beloved wife Margaret, it was their warmth and kindness that made the house a home for so many. Everyone who met Tony loved Tony. His silly humor, stubborn strength, and deep humility were remarkable—and the ease and generosity of his love showed so many of us who and how we wanted to be in this life.

In his last years, he returned many times to stories of his childhood: his mother’s cooking, the wagon he would pull to the Italian market, the mattresses strapped to the roof of the car to drive down to Atlantic City for the summer, the animal crackers he ate, the wine his father made in the basement during prohibition, his brother Vincent’s charm, the way the sky looked, and the trees then, how the chicken shop on the corner became a bar, how he never doubted for a moment how completely and totally he was loved.

He is predeceased by his wife, Margaret Hanna Occhiolini, and his daughter, Lisa Occhiolini.

Anthony is survived by his children, daughter Nina Occhiolini and her spouse Candace Ritter, as well as son Michael Occhiolini and his wife Wendy Hopfenberg. He is survived also by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Alessandra Occhiolini and spouse Andrew Gilchrist-Scott, Jeffrey Saul, Genevieve Saul and husband Brian Folkes, as well as his great-grandson, Lucas Anthony Folkes. 

Donations in his honor can be made to Mainline Health Hospice. 

A memorial service has been scheduled for August 1, from 3-7 pm. Please contact the family for further details. Nina Occhiolini can be reached at (610) 574-4638.

Condolences to the family may be posted at www.bacchifh.com.

Arrangements are by The Bacchi Funeral Home & Crematory, Bridgeport, PA.