Crash in old Village of Mechanicsville Fatal to Career St. Mary’s Official Tony Malaspina Sr.
MECHANICSVILLE, MD. A pickup truck which left the roadway and crashed into a building near the intersection of Old Village Road and Mechanicsville Road took the life of the St. Mary’s County Animal Control Director Tony Malaspina, who was also a retired Capitol Police Officer. Malaspina was on his way to meet family members for a planned hunting trip to South Carolina.
St. Mary’s Sheriff Tim Cameron reports that on October 21, 2018, at approximately 4:10 a.m. deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle collision in the 28100 block of Mechanicsville Road, in the area of Bet Lane, in Mechanicsville, Maryland.
Deputies located a single vehicle, with one occupant that had crashed into a building. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Unit assumed the investigation.
Deputies determined a 2016 Ford F-150 operated by Antonio Joseph Malaspina, 71 of Mechanicsville, was traveling south on Mechanicsville Road, towards Budds Creek Road, when the vehicle crossed the center line and exited the roadway.
The vehicle struck a signpost, telephone pole, and ultimately an unoccupied building. Malaspina was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, where he succumbed to his injuries. At this time, it is suspected Malaspina suffered a medical emergency; police say that speed and alcohol are not considered to be contributing factors in the collision.
Malaspina was popular with many of the animal welfare agencies in the area for his dedication to effective and responsive service to the community.
While a county official, Malaspina also was a small business owner, operating The Gun Locker, a gun and sports store in New Market, Md.
OBITUARY:
Antonio Joseph “Tony” Malaspina Sr., 71 of Mechanicsville, MD passed away on October 21, 2018, in Leonardtown, MD.
Born June 10, 1947 in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late Norma Pauline and Leon Antonio Malaspina.
Tony is survived by his children; Dawn Stroud of Mechanicsville, MD, Marisa (John) Surdick of Odenton, MD and Antonio “Tony” (Melisa) Malaspina, Jr. of Mechanicsville, MD, siblings; Veronica (Butch) Malaspina and Maria (Rick) Gentry both of Mechanicsville, MD, grandchildren; Ryan Baird, John, Jenna and Jacob Surdick and Taylor, Kayla an Adriana Malaspina, great-granddaughter Ryleigh Baird, niece Maria Fallon, nephew Rick Gentry, Jr and his late niece Amanda Gentry.
Tony graduated from Suitland High School, he served in the U.S. Army and retired from the U.S. Capitol Police. He worked for St. Mary’s County Animal Control as an Animal Control Supervisor for over 20 years. Tony was the owner of the Gun Locker in Mechanicsville, MD, he enjoyed hunting, football, playing poker and spending time with family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 27, 2018, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Encounter Christian Center, 30080 Henry Lane, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 with a Memorial Service at 7:00 PM with Pastor Dennis Gillikin officiating.
Interment will be private.