An iconic Throggs Neck businessperson has passed away. Antonio ‘Tony’ Cortese, described by family as “a force of life in any and all his endeavors,” was the owner of the popular Amerigo’s Italian Restaurant at the corner of East Tremont Avenue and Sullivan Place, from 1980 to 1998.

Cortese passed away from natural causes at the age of 89 on Friday, October 20, said his daughters Maria Cortese and Gianna Fleischmann. “He was a powerhouse,” said Maria remembering her dad, adding: “He helped everybody.” Gianna said she still runs across people who remember her dad fondly and who worked at the restaurant, which was in existence for 60 years.