Anthony S. (Tony) Sacramento

Monday, December 7, 1998

Anthony S. (Tony) Sacramento

'Mr. Kennywood' was familiar face ran the carousel
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Anthony S. (Tony) Sacramento, who ran the carousel at suburban Pittsburgh's Kennywood Park for more than 50 years and was known to generations of park patrons as "Mr. Kennywood," has died. He was 81.

Sacramento died from a coronary collapse Thursday at Kane Regional Center.
He worked at the park for nearly 60 years. In the winter, he helped to dismantle and reconstruct rides.
In the summer, he greeted visitors and was a fixture at its landmark carousel, waving to people as they rode around. He never turned away children who lacked the price of a ride.
"One of the park officials once told Dad that he gave away more free rides than the merry-go-round took in," said Sacramento's son, Dennis.
"But Dad knew that his ride was one of the most popular at Kennywood, and he didn't have the heart to see a youngster standing by who couldn't afford to get on," he said.
The carousel, which is estimated by the National Carousel Association to be worth millions, includes a lead horse named for Sacramento that is painted with the colors of the Italian flag.
Sacramento began working at the park giving pony rides in the 1930s.
He took a leave to serve in World War II from 1940-45 before returning to Kennywood.
He was such a fixture that people often recognized him outside the park, according to a 1993 interview.
"Oh, geez, you should see when I go to the mall," he said. "About November or December, the kids start running up to me saying, 'Mr. Kennywood, Mr. Kennywood, when's Kennywood going to open?' I always tell them, 'When it does, you come see me for a free ride."'
One of the park's trademark arrow signs was posted at Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home in East Pittsburgh to direct visitors to Sacramento's room.
His funeral procession on Monday will drive through the park and past the carousel.
Besides his son Dennis, Sacramento also is survived by another son, Anthony N. Sacramento of North Huntingdon; three brothers, Joseph, Neal and Frank, all of North Braddock; and a sister, Sara Simone of Rankin.
His funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Monongahela Cemetery, North Braddock.