Obituary of Anthony Joseph Lisa

Anthony Joseph Lisa ("Tony"), age 69, of Mickleton, NJ passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 16, 2018, at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ. Tony was born on August 20, 1948 to Joseph and Helen (Desiderio) Lisa in Pennsville, NJ. Tony served as Staff Seargent in the Air Force from 1969 to 1973. He received his BS and Master's degrees from Glassboro State College (later Rowan University). Tony led a distinguished career as head swim coach for the men's and women's teams at Rowan for 35 seasons, where he compiled an astounding 469 wins, a .752 overall winning percentage, was named NJAC coach of the year 4 times, coached 3 national champions and numerous Academic All-Americans. Tony was also the President of the College Swim Coaches Association from 1998-2001 and was the Assistant Coach for the World All-Stars at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. Later in his career, Tony was proud to join West Point Swimming and Diving as Assistant Coach. In 2003, he received the Richard E. Steadman Award from the CSCAA for spreading joy and happiness in swimming and diving. He is also an inductee into the Salem County and Gloucester County Sports Halls of Fame. For 35 years, he was also the head coach for numerous teams within the Tri-County Swimming Pool Association, where he impacted the lives of hundreds of young swimmers. Regardless of his coaching statistics, Tony's joy as a coach came in the smaller moments with swimmers - a personal best time, a great effort in practice, or simply, smiles on the faces of his team. He loved his swimmers as he loved his family - proudly and fiercely. After his retirement from coaching, Tony's philanthropic work with various homeless shelters and, most recently, the Special Olympics, brought him great joy later in his life. He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Constance (née Rand); son, Bryan (Tracy); daughter, Suzanne (Michael Esfahani); his 5 grandchildren, Charles, Catherine, Jude, Laila Esfahani and Aubrey Esfahani; sisters, Diane (John Mazzei), Dorothy (Neal Mason), Rosalie (Mark Schnee), and brother Joseph (Joanne); mother-in-law, Margaret Rand; brothers-in-law, Richard Rand and Douglas (Kathleen) Rand; his 7 nieces and 3 nephews; and many other loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family would like to express their thanks for the compassionate care given by the doctors and nurses at Cooper University Medical Center. The family will receive friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 9:00 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at Kelley's Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Ave, Pitman, NJ. Resurrection Service will be Friday, June 22, 2018 at 10:00 am at Church of the Good Shephard, 315 Highland Terrace, Pitman, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Special Olympics New Jersey, www.sonj.org or to Rowan University Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving teams, www.rowanathletics.com (designate gift to swimming).