Tony Bennett

Bennett in 2011, Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

Birth Name: Anthony Dominick Benedetto

Date of Birth: August 3, 1926

Place of Birth: Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Death: July 21, 2023

Place of Death: Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.

Ethnicity: Italian

Tony Bennett was an American singer of traditional pop standards, show tunes, and jazz, as well as a painter. His songs include “Because of You,” “Rags to Riches,” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” He became known in the 1950s and ’60s, before staging a comeback in the late 1980s. Tony founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens. He sold more than 50 million records worldwide. At two months over 95, he broke the Guinness World Record for oldest person to release an album of new material. Late in his career, he often collaborated with Lady Gaga.

Tony was the son of Anna Maria (Suraci), a seamstress, and Giovanni Dominick “John” Benedetto, a grocer. His father was Italian, from Podargoni, Reggio Calabria, and moved to the U.S. in 1906. His mother was born in New York, to Italian parents, from Calabria. His parents were from poor farming families. His uncle, Dick, was a tap dancer in vaudeville, and another uncle, Frank, was the Queens borough library commissioner. Tony fought in WWII, in the European Theatre; his company moved from France into Germany in 1945, and Tony was part of the liberation of the Kaufering concentration camp in Bavaria.

Tony was married to schoolteacher Susan Crow, until his death. He had two children with his former wife Patricia Beech; and two children, including singer of adult alternative music, standards, and jazz, Antonia Bennett, with his former wife, actress Sandra Grant.

Tony’s paternal grandfather was Giovanni Battista “John” Benedetto (the son of Domenico Benedetto and Francesca Sinicropi). Giovanni was born in Podargoni. Domenico was the son of Giocomo Benedetto and Anna De Marco. Francesca was the daughter of Antonino Sinicropi and Antonia Morabito.

Tony’s paternal grandmother was Maria/Marie Suraci (the daughter of Domenico/Domenic/Dominico Suraci and Anna Sinicropi). Maria was born in Podargoni. Domenico was the son of Giuseppe Suraci and Antonia Melana. Anna was the daughter of Antonino Sinicropi and Antonia Morabito.

Tony’s maternal grandfather was Antonio/Anthony Suraci (the son of Francesco/Frank Suraci and Maria/Mary Catalano/Cataleno). Antonio was born in Podargoni. Francesco was the son of Domenico Suraci.

Tony’s maternal grandmother was Vincenza Suraci (the daughter of Domenico/Domenic/Dominico Suraci and Anna Sinicropi). Vincenza was born in Podargoni. Domenico was the son of Giuseppe Suraci and Antonia Melana. Anna was the daughter of Antonino Sinicropi and Antonia Morabito.

Sources: Genealogies of Tony Bennett – https://www.geni.com
https://www.findagrave.com