Anthony “Tony” Lato, Jr., of Kansas City, Missouri, and North Fort Myers, Florida, passed away on October 16, 2026, in Kansas City. He was born on August 9, 1946, in Providence, Rhode Island, to the late Dorothy Ann (Passarelli) Lato and Anthony D. Lato, and lived in Rhode Island until 1982, when he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tony is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Mary Jeane Lato; his daughter, Janel Christine Lato (Leslie), of Bridgewater Corners; his sister, Valerie Lato Coski, of Derry, New Hampshire; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. Tony and Mary Jeane endured the heartbreaking losses of their only grandson, Gianni Scott Corsentino, who passed away at the age of 18 in Las Vegas in 2016, and their daughter, Michelle Jeane (Corsentino) Wright.

Tony graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in Providence in 1965, Rhode Island Junior College in 1967, and Roger Williams College in Bristol, Rhode Island, in 1973. He later earned a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 1988.

Tony began his teaching career with the Warwick, Rhode Island School Department, where he worked from 1973 to 1982. After moving to Las Vegas, he continued his career in education, serving as a teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, and principal. He retired from the Clark County School District in 2008 but continued working as an administrative substitute until 2016. In recognition of his contributions to education, Tony received the Clark County School District’s Hall of Fame award twice.

Athletics were a lifelong passion for Tony. At Mt. Pleasant High School, he participated in baseball, track, basketball, and hockey. He continued playing baseball and basketball at Rhode Island Junior College and baseball and hockey at Roger Williams College. In 1972, he ranked as the 20th-leading hitter in the country with an impressive .459 batting average. He also played for McGarry’s Restaurant in the Providence Amateur League, where the team won the league championship.

Tony went on to enjoy an extraordinary career in baseball and softball, winning numerous state championships and competing in many national and international softball tournaments. After moving to Las Vegas in 1982, he played for the Insulators of Nevada, the state’s top softball team. He was especially proud of his five softball batting titles and more than 200 tournament victories, including a world championship at age 55. In November 2023, Tony was inducted into the Rhode Island Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame, a fitting recognition of his remarkable athletic accomplishments.

Beyond his work in education, Tony served as a special events supervisor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center Arena and Sam Boyd Stadium. He also served as an inspector for the Nevada State Athletic Commission and ultimately rose to the position of chief inspector.

Tony proudly served his country in the United States Army after being drafted in 1967. He distinguished himself as the top trainee in his Advanced Infantry Training program at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he also played fast-pitch softball for the base team. From 1968 to 1969, he served as a sergeant in Vietnam with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. Tony took great pride in his military service, his Combat Infantry Badge, and his other service medals. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

In January 2017, Tony and Mary Jeane moved to Kansas City, where he became a parishioner of St. Therese Catholic Church and volunteered at St. Therese School.

Tony will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his dedication to education, his proud military service, and his extraordinary love of sports. His accomplishments on the field, his years of service to students and schools, and the relationships he built throughout his life leave a legacy. Above all, Tony cherished his family and the life he shared with his beloved wife, Mary Jeane.

Services will be held on Friday, October 23, at the Lakeside Chapel in Terrace Park Cemetery, Kansas City North. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by Graveside services.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com