June 13, 1957 to Jan. 8, 2025

Anthony Joseph “Tony” Sciara, 67, passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2025 at North Kansas City Hospital surrounded by immediate family, after suffering a medical emergency on Independence Avenue.

Tony was a fixture in Historic Northeast, usually along Independence Avenue, often stopping at some of his favorite food establishments and gathering places to spread cheer, have a conversation with whoever was within earshot and have a bite to eat.

Tony worked in a number of vocations during his short life including working as a telemarketer selling event tickets for the Fraternal Order of Police for almost twenty years, working at the car wash at Independence Avenue and Van Brunt for 10 years and rebuilding automobile and truck alternators at an automotive shop near Truman Road and Winchester.

Tuesdays, Tony could usually be found at The Northeast News, where he worked in the circulation department preparing newspapers for residential delivery. Always the eternal optimist, Tony would often offer a comment about an upcoming Royals or Chiefs game in his always recognizable “radio voice” that garnered him the nickname “Radio Tony.”

Sports statistics were something Tony was excellent at remembering. When asked who hit the most home runs during the 1971 baseball season, a question that would have sent any other sports statistician to Google for twenty minutes, Tony, without missing a beat and with a smile, “well Michael,” he chuckled, “I believe that was Willie Stargill and he hit 48 home runs and he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.” For the record, Stargill edged out the great Hank Aaron that year by one home run. Aaron had 47 for the ‘71 season.  

Never one for alcohol or drugs, Tony had a strong faith, attending church regularly and participating in the daily bible studies at Eleos Coffee on the Avenue. During Lent, Tony could usually be found splitting his time between the Friday night fish fry dinners at Holy Cross and St. Anthony’s Parishes.

Tony was also a coin collector, often sharing his latest find with whoever was nearby at the time. Tony also loved going to baseball games and enjoying a hot dog or four as part of the experience.

Tony was born on June 13, 1957 to Albert and Joanne Sciara of Kansas City, Mo. He attended grade school at James Elementary, moving on to Northeast Junior High School and graduating from Northeast High School in 1976. Tony was preceded in death by his mother (1975) and father (1972). He is survived by a brother, Kevin Sciara of the home, Jessie Graham, beloved dog Roscoe and numerous cousins from both sides of the family. A Celebration of Tony’s life will be hosted by Eleos Coffee Shop, 3401 Independence Ave., at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to a GoFundMe page listed as: “Anthony Sciara.”