Chamber to Honor Tony Randi as 2013 Citizen of the Year

On Friday evening, April 19, at the celebration of its 11th annual Pineapple Ball, to be held at the Garden City Hotel, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce will honor Anthony (Tony) P. Randi, D.D.S . as its 43rd “Citizen of the Year” for 2013.

This prestigious award was established in 1970 to recognize outstanding philanthropic efforts, and service to the community by an individual whose efforts have contributed to the high standards and quality of life in the Village of Garden City.

A life-long resident of Garden City, Tony Randy has been actively involved in Village activities. He had coached both his children in the PAL lacrosse program and after his first year of coaching, Tony founded the Jay Gallagher Memorial Lacrosse Tournament.

In its 15th year, the event has grown from six teams to currently hosting 120 teams from the northeast with 5.000 players and parents attending annually.

Said John Wilton, long-time friend of Tony Randi and of the Jay Gallagher Tournament, “I’ve known Tony for 30 years. His dedication to the sport of lacrosse and his concern for student athletes, their growth and development, has prepared them for their future life’s journeys. Tony is the ultimate ambassador or good will for our Village.”

The growth of the Jay Gallagher Lacrosse Tournament created the Jay Gallagher Foundation. The Foundation sponsors a two-day lacrosse tournament held on Father’s Day weekend in Garden City every year. The Foundation memorializes Jay Gallagher, who graduated from Garden City High School in 1970. Jay had an illustrious career as a player at Garden City, Cornell University and had coached at numerous universities. It was with great sadness when members of the lacrosse world learned of his death on Jan. 9, 1992 at the age of 39, from melanoma.

The Foundation also memorializes Andrew Palmeri, Mollie Biggane, Ryan Kohart and and Dave Leistman. Both Ryan and Dave were lost in the September 11, 2001 tragedy.

Continued sponsorships from many Garden City residents have helped raise more than $750,000. The Jay Gallagher Foundation supports three local charities: The Mollie Biggane Melanoma Foundation, The Andy Foundation and the Miracle Foundation. The Mollie Foundation sponsors various activities from skin cancer awareness to helping patients understand the latest treatment strategies available.

The Jay Gallagher Foundation has teamed with the Miracle Foundation and Andy Foundation in sponsoring the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop University Hospital. Recently, the Jay Gallagher Tournament hosted the Garden City Challenger Lacrosse Program, which is geared to provide athletic opportunities to children with mental and physical handicaps. Tony looks forward to the continued growth of the Jay Gallagher Foundation and its ability to provide charitable service to the Garden City community.

Tony Randi is a 1974 graduate of Garden City High School. He completed his undergraduate education at SUNY Oneonta prior to attending Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Upon graduation in 1982, Tony entered private practice with his father, Dr. Joseph A. Randi in Garden City. His wife, Dr. Ruth Randi joined the practice after graduating from Columbia University College of Dental medicine in 1985.

Tony returned to Columbia University in 1995 and completed his specialty; training in prosthetic dentistry in 1987. He continues an active relationship with Columbia University donating one day each week in the department of post-graduate prosthodontics mentoring students in both research and clinical dentistry. Both he and his wife Ruth continue to maintain a private practice in Garden city limited to restorative dentistry. Both Ruth and Tony annually engage in an international dental mission with the “Giving through Smiles” organization.  

Ruth and Tony have two children Will (26) and Chesney (24) who currently reside in Denver CO.

Tony Randi will share honors at the Pineapple Ball with Diane Chapman, recipient of the “Community  Achievement Award,” and Dale Brokaw, Jan McDonough and Lois Tighe, “Business Persons of the Year.

To receive an invitation to the Pineapple Ball; to receive full event  information, including sponsorship and Journal ads, call Tracey Gittere at Legendary Events at 222-0550 or visit www.gardencitychamber.org.

Submitted by the Garden City Chamber of Commerce