from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Patrick “Pat” Anthony Tarsio, 96, of Newburgh, N.Y., a longtime Standardbred owner/breeder, died July 28, 2013, at home with his family by his side.

Mr. Tarsio was a son of the late Antonio and Filomena (Troncilito) Tarsio and was born Aug. 28, 1916, in Newburgh. He married the late Alice F. (Ferreri) on Aug. 27, 1939 in Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh.

He was a member of St. Francis Church, Newburgh, Newburgh Bowling Hall of Fame, Newburgh Softball Hall of Fame, Newburgh Elks Lodge #247 and the New York State Harness Racing Association for 40 years.

A lifelong resident of Newburgh, he started his career with Favino Plumbing in the early 1930s, then during World War II he worked in Eureka Shipyard. After the war he worked at Shapiro Distributor and then in the late 1940s he and his brother Peter started Tarsio Brothers Confectionary. He sold Tarsio Brothers in 1959 when he then built and opened Campi-Tarsio Lanes with his partner, Lou Campi. In later years it became Pat Tarsio Lanes. In 1995 he then purchased the Bowling Time Lanes and that became Pat Tarsio Bowling Time Lanes.

During these years, he became a professional bowler and one of the founding members of the Professional Bowlers Association. During his bowling career he recorded an 834 three game series which was the highest series for that year, and had multiple 300 games.

In 1970 Mr. Tarsio also fell in love with harness racing, which lasted for more than 40 years. One of his greatest pacers was named Alice Tarsio, after his wife, who went on to earn $283,173 in her career.

Mr. Tarsio is survived by his children, Phyllis (Donald Sr.) Babcock, Lucille (Thomas) Connelly, Carole (companion, Alan Drobner), Anthony (Diedre) and Patrick Jr. (Linda); 15 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Nancy Valicenti, Frances Crisci and Vera Holt; and two brothers, Peter and William.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday (July 31) at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday (Aug. 1) in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Newburgh, with burial following in Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter, 3701 Pender Drive, Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22030.