I met Tony Bartolomeo in September of 1952 and we became best friends for 66 years. He was honest, handsome, friendly, wise and had a great sense of humor. We spent hours & hours just laughing. We played half ball in the street and basketball at the school yard. We grew up together. Tony's parents were like my second set of parents and my parents were his 2nd set. Everyone in the neighborhood knew us as good kids.... except... when our half ball would, occasionally, hit against the glass windows. All the girls on the block had their eyes on Tony. I was always hearing about his long eyelashes, dark skin and jet black hair. Modest and somewhat shy Tony was just looking for someone to play second base. Can you play second base or not!? We, already, had a shortstop. Tony was the handsomest boy in South Philly. There was another fellow in our group but Tony & I had a special bond. He was the best friend anyone could have back then. Life was Dream... Shaboom! Shaboom! We faced all of life's challenges together. We could talk about it endlessly, on the corner step. Our favorite challenge was,"Where will we be in the year 2000? Where do I park my spaceship? Will we need interplanetary space travel to get home? " An incident occurred on the beach at Atlantic City one day which we thought would be the last day on earth. Our friend, Angelo, and Tony spotted a little girl, out in the ocean, that seemed to be riding the rip tide out to sea. They both went out after her before she disappeared and were able to grab hold of her. Now the three of us are, in the water, over our heads. Holding up this little 5 year old, over our heads, to keep her from drowning we passed her back and forth towards the shore. No one was coming to rescue us so I fought my way back to shore to get help. Just as I got to the shore Tony and Angelo had the little girl, in their arms, back on the beach... without help. We went to proms together, grew older together even faced an, almost, unbeatable, foe together. I saved the day ... This, however, is another story... and we lived happily ever after. We enjoyed our times, together, hanging out at the corner of 9th and Wolf St. We were big shots back then. Tony went to college and I joined the army. Years went by. Tony meets a neighborhood girl, Chickie. He's in love and wants to get married. As fate has itChickie is the real thing. Tony hit the jackpot. She is genuine & amazing just as he is. The two are a fairy tale come true. I'm the Best Man and Tony & Chickie go on to live the greatest lives of anyone I know. Fast forward to 1985. Tony is a genius when it comes to computers. At that time I became very interested in computers with Windows operating systems. It was my dear friend, Tony, who took me by the hand and taught me, from scratch, every phase of computers. This knowledge of computers was significant, for me, in my own, up and coming field, of photography. I'm sure Chickie could recall the many times I called the house, late in the evening, with a computer problem and how to get out of it. With precision he would walk me, step by step, back to safety. Along with a trick on how to avoid the same problem in the future. Tony's very existence made my life easier... from 1952 to 2018; some 66 years of a close & special friendship. So what reward is visited on you for having and being a life long friend? You get a million plus wonderful & exclusive memories to last a lifetime. I’ll take it ...!!! Gladly. To Chickie, Tony's terrific wife, who made their team work so well and with such grace and to each of the girls; Lynda, Lori & Susan who I was, always, so proud of : I send my heartfelt sorrow & love to all of you who loved Tony as I did... Carl A. DeFelice

Sorry with my deepest sympathies to the Bartolomeo Family. Dad was a great husband, father and friend. He will always be in your hearts and minds.

Dear Chickie My love to you and all your family. I am so saddened by the passing of my dear cousin Tiny. We are only six months apart in age and I have so many memories of us growing up. Rest in peace my dear cousin. You will missed by many. Rose Marie DeFrank

Sending our love and condolences to Chickie and the family on losing your loved one. Our friendship goes back many years, love you both and pray God holds Tiny in his heart and arms. May God give you, Chickie, the strength and love to go on and know that God is holding him tightly. He will be missed greatly, his humor, his caring, his love, no more pain and may he Rest In Peace.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.