TAKING THE HIGH ROAD IN LIFE MAN'S PASSION FOR CARS ALSO DROVE HIS POSITIVE OUTLOOK.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

It was fitting that Tony Venditto's favorite song was Willie Nelson's ``On the Road Again.''

Venditto had a lifelong passion for cars and driving. He won awards for building ``kit cars'' and was a former president of the Association of Handcrafted Automobiles.

Anton ``Tony'' Venditto died Monday in Valencia after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 3 1/2 years ago. Venditto, 77, was a Burbank resident for 51 years.

``He loved cars,'' his daughter Teri Venditto Sullivan said with emphasis. ``You could eat off the engines of his cars.''

``He loved sprint cars. He helped to work on the cars and he traveled with a team all over the United States up until Alzheimer's was diagnosed.''

A great day for her dad would start with coffee with friends, followed by exercise - bicycling for 30 or more miles a week or walking in Burbank - working on cars, a drive in his red Corvette convertible, helping someone out with a household problem and, finally, going out to dinner with friends.

``The man always had a smile on his face. He was always friendly. He lit up so many lives,'' Venditto Sullivan said. ``He never had anything negative to say about anyone. He had a positive outlook on life.''

Carmel Farnsworth met Venditto through his daughter about 10 years ago. She described him as a slim man who dressed to impress. She will remember Venditto for his inner glow and his ``live life with gusto'' attitude.

``He would always hug and kiss people. There was a great spirit in the room when he was there. He was the life of a party. He would sit somewhere and 'hold court,''' said Farnsworth. ``He made people feel good. He was gregarious and he had a great laugh. He liked to dance. He had joie de vivre.''

Farnsworth, who owns a board-and-care facility in Valencia where Venditto lived for a time, recalled that while he was ill he was a man who wanted to connect with those around him. She said he would look into your eyes and hold your hand even at his most sick moments.

Venditto Sullivan recalled that her dad always had a lot of energy. She described him as a very handsome man who looked years younger than his actual years. Venditto was a ``health nut,'' preferring to eat mostly fruits, vegetables, chicken and fish.

From her childhood Venditto Sullivan remembered that her dad and mom came to watch every sports game in which she and her brother participated. Her dad's favorite piece of advice to his children was, ``If you want it, work for it.''

Venditto worked in production control for Technibuilt Corp., once based in Glendale, for 34 years.

Anton Loring Venditto was born Jan. 3, 1927, in St. Louis, Mo. Venditto was a first-generation Italian-American. His father emigrated from Pietraroia in Benevento province where Venditto still has cousins.

His family moved to Burbank when Venditto was in elementary school. He was a graduate of Hoover High School in Glendale. Venditto served in the Army during World War II. He was stationed for a time in Japan. He was a resident of Burbank for 51 years prior to his last illness.

Venditto is survived by his son, Tony Venditto Jr.; daughter, Teri Venditto Sullivan; three grandchildren; a brother, Louis; and 15 nieces and nephews. His wife, Becky Vacio Venditto, died in 1985.

The funeral service was held Friday and was arranged by Mission Hills Catholic Mortuary. Venditto was buried next to his wife at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills.

Donations in his memory, to benefit the Emergency Department Expansion, can be sent to Henry Mayo Newhall Health Foundation, 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.

Holly Andres, [phone]

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