New Manchester, WV.

Anthony R. “Tony” Dlugopolski, 60 of New Manchester passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, November 9, 2017.

Tony was born on August 1, 1957, in Chicago, IL. A son of the late Stanley and Betty Brody Dlugopolski.

He began racing horses at the age of 16, and for 25 years he plied the trade that he loved so much. In his 25,429th race and attempting to win his 3,443th race, his career came to a tragic end at the Waterford Park Race Track in Chester. It was four days after Christmas in 2001 when a horse fell in front of his mount, causing Tony’s horse to tumble as well. The accident left him a quadriplegic. That didn’t get in the way of his favorite pastime, hunting. He just recently was busy preparing his blind for this year’s deer hunt. Amid all this, Tony found time to hold a second job as a baggage handler at the Pittsburgh International Air Port. Tony was a faithful Catholic, attending weekly mass at his parish, Sacred Heart in Chester, WV.

Tony had two children that loved him very much, Chad Dlugopolski and wife Nina of New Cumberland, and Nichole Cooper, also of New Cumberland, and a niece that he raised as his own, Adri Martinez of North Carolina. There are four beautiful grandchildren, Ashton Crago, Braxton Dlugopolski, Paizley Maola, and Lane Cooper. Also surviving are Tony’s brothers and sisters, Daniel, Patrick, Edwin, Tim, and Dennis and Theresa Dlugopolski, and Mary Jo Glover, all of Chicago.  

Tony was also preceded in death by his brother, Michael Dlugopolski.

Friends are invited to visit with Tony’s family at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester on Monday, November 13, when they will be present from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. His priest, Father Jeeson Stephan will preside for Catholic Funeral Rites at the funeral home on Tuesday at 12 noon. Following cremation, Tony will be interred at the Locust Hill Cemetery in Chester. Donations may be made to support these services on Tony’s memorial page at www.arnerfuneralchapel.com.

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