Tony & Frank Yonda were a part of an amazing group of Sayville brothers and sisters.
But their story really starts in Italy.
Their dad and mom
Giuseppe Carmine Antonio Iannantuono Yonda and
Maria Rosa Crispini married in Nuevo, Italy in 1889. Like many at the time, Carmine and Maria immigrated to the United States in hopes of a better life.
Sadly by 1919, Maria had succumbed to the Spanish flu pandemic, leaving Carmine to raise their then 7 children.
Needless to say, times were tough for the Yonda’s. Carmine originally worked on the Bourne estate when he brought his family to Sayville. But illness and age were taking a toll by 1920. Two of his sons, Frank and Tony became family breadwinners.
Frank started out as a chauffeur and worked part-time with Tony in the gardening business.
Eventually, the brothers had built a thriving business, building their own greenhouses(10,000sq.ft.) and houses on land at the base of Smithtown Ave.
Their story is not only one of hard work, setting up their businesses. It also became a story of Sayville Baseball stars and for a few years a lightweight boxing championship competition. They both started their baseball play in early grade school. As time went by they both had to quit school to help support their family.
If you lived on the south shore of Long Island in the 1920s & 1930s, you read about or saw the stars of the Sayville Field Club baseball team perform their magic.
Tony, a short fast centerfielder, and Frank a reliable third & second basemen. Both men achieved starring roles in Island baseball in the early part of the 20th century.
The story continued through their lives in Sayville. They coached championship teams through the forties and fifties. Then continued on in the game they loved by umpiring in local little league and high school baseball. Tony took part in the early setup of Little League in Sayville.
There is so much to share about their adventures through their lives in Sayville.
Frank fighting in World War I, Tony lightweight fighting career in 1923-1926
Their community works with local baseball teams, the parks commission, the Boys Club, little league, and high school baseball. Their greenhouse business and the early post-WWII housing development.
Tony set up a baseball award for Sayville high school in the 60’s —the Yonda award.
The Yonda family made a lasting mark on a town called Sayville and their Long Island community. It’s truly amazing what a couple of small-town kids who had to drop out of school, with parents from Italy -achieved.
I hear the crowd roar
Yonda, Yonda, Yonda!!!!
Another base is stolen, an amazing catch, did you see that hit!!!
Remember-
In history “a person is not forgotten until his or her name is forgotten”
Never forget those you love and admire share their stories
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