Anthony Lennon (Tony), of Southern Pines, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 5, 2025 (his 85th birthday) at Terra Bella Memory Care after a long illness with Parkinson’s Disease.
Tony was born in Flushing, NY in 1940 to the late Joseph & Vera Lennon. After high school, Tony enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1958 and spent four years on flight crew as a ELINT intercept officer.
Following the Navy, Tony spent his career working for the U.S. Government (28 years), retiring from the Central Intelligence Agency in early 1991 as a SIS-3 (Senior Intelligence Service). Tony received the Intelligence Medal of Merit for especially meritorious service that contributed significantly to the CIA Mission. Between his Navy service and government career, Tony travelled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, Africa and Asia & Australia; a total of 28 countries. Following retirement from government service, he started Choices Home Improvements, an incorporated private business in Northern Virginia. The business was closed in 1998 when he & his wife, Alane relocated to Southern Pines.
After moving to North Carolina, Tony volunteered with Habitat for Humanity & the animal rescue community in Moore County. In 2009, Tony began working with Military Missions in Action (MMIA), a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization serving veterans with disabilities, members of the Armed Forces and their families. In 2013, when MMIA established an office in Southern Pines, Tony was named MMIA’s Southern Region Program Director. In 2021, health issues forced Tony to leave his position with MMIA. Besides volunteering, Tony enjoyed flying, playing golf and spending time with his family, friends & his beloved dogs.
Tony leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Alane Gaeta Lennon of Southern Pines, NC, nieces, Kelli Dodds of Mesa, Az, and Crosby Gaeta of N.Y.C., NY nephews Chrisotpher Lennon (Mimi), Sean Lennon of Malibu, CA and Walker Gaeta of Washington, DC. He also leaves behind a great nephew, Cameron (Margita) Geller of Irvine, CA and 3 great nieces, Talyor Dodds & Brienna Dodds of Mesa, AZ and Sienna del Gado of Arletta, CA.
At his request, there will be no service. Donations in his memory can be made to Moore Humane Society, https://moorehumane.org, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, https://bestfriends.org or a veteran’s organization of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to www.coxmemorialfuneralhome.com.
The family entrusted services to Cox Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory of Vass.
