Anthony M. "Tony" Bezich Obituary (1929 - 2017)

June 6, 1929-December 10, 2017 Tony was born on July 6, 1926 in Camden, NJ, the son of Josephine and Luka Bezich. He grew up at 414 Webster Street in South Camden before the family moved to 1624 Broadway. Tony attended John W. Mickle elementary school and Camden High School where he earned a varsity letter in football and also played baseball. He graduated in January, 1944; the last class to graduate in January. Shortly after enrolling at the University of Pennsylvania, Tony was drafted into the armed forces, serving in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. A Mailman 3rd Class, he was stationed at the U.S. Naval Base in Manilla, Philippines. He was honorably discharged and returned to Penn where he graduated in 1949 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in economics. During his time at Penn Tony remained active in sports playing on the North Camden Bears football team and several teams in the Tri-County Baseball League. An Outstanding Career in Law After Penn, Tony enrolled at the Rutgers University-Camden School of Law Evening Division and during the day, he served as Clerk of the Camden Municipal Court. In 1954 he received his law degree and by 1955 passed the New Jersey Bar Exam. Tony served a clerkship under Judge Ben Dzick in the Camden Municipal Court and then became a partner in the firm of Supnick & Bezich in Camden. Over time, the firm expanded and moved to Haddonfield. For a decade (1961-1971) Tony served as an Assistant County Prosecutor in the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, at that time, a part-time job. As a prosecutor he tried a number of cases and was assigned to the Grand Jury Unit. Later in his career, he also served as a municipal prosecutor in the Boroughs of Magnolia and Berlin. In 2011, he retired from the practice of law but to this day continues to give advice and counsel to friends and family, often at his "adopted" office in McDonald's. A Legacy of Civic Engagement In 1955 Tony moved to Haddon Township where he raised his family and became involved in community affairs. In the early 1960's Tony ran an unsuccessful campaign for Haddon Township Commissioner but the experience provided him with widespread recognition in the community and started him on a path of civic engagement. Tony was elected as a Democratic County Committeeman and President of the Haddon Township Democrat Club. He served as President of the Haddon Township-Collingswood Kiwanis Club, volunteered as an umpire for the Haddon Township Athletic Association, and founded the Pallotti Padres softball team at St. Vincent Pallotti Parish. Since moving to Gloucester Township in the 1990's Tony's interest in the political process have continued with his work as an Election Board worker at the polls. A patron of the arts as well, Tony was honored by the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts for his advancement of the College where he met Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller. Beyond all of his professional and civic accomplishments he is perhaps best known for his longtime hobby, photography. Over the years Tony moved from 8 millimeter home movies to video and most recently to still photography. He maintains a collection of film and photographs that span decades and is well known for showing his most recent photo album to anyone who'll take the time to peruse them. A Family Man But by far Tony's proudest accomplishment is his family. He is the father of five children; Louis Bezich, Toni Bezich, Terry Enea, Bernadette Witter & Christopher Bezich, eight grandchildren; Anthony, Stephen, Christina, Francesca, Tommy, Casey, Bailey and Brooke and four great grandchildren; Luca, Scarlett, Sage and Cash. He was the fiance of Joy Jones. Services Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Saturday beginning from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at Platt Memorial Chapels, Inc. 2001 Berlin Road, Cherry Hill, NJ. Funeral services will follow beginning at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill, NJ.