Anthony Joseph "Tony" Villiotti Jr.

Anthony Joseph “Tony” Villiotti, 79, of Scott Twp, PA, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026 surrounded by the love of his family after facing numerous health challenges over the past couple months. Tony was born on September 20, 1946 and was a graduate of Allerdice High School and Penn State University. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, advocate, mentor, and friend.

Tony is survived by his wife Betsy Villiotti; his children, Dave (Alicia) Villiotti and Gina Madison; grandchildren, Sidney, Addie and Ziah Villiotti and Sophia and Joey Madison; siblings, Ron (Barb, deceased) Villiotti, Ralph (Cissy) Villiotti and Dave (Jocelyn) Villiotti; and many extended family members, dear friends, colleagues, and members of the liver disease and transplant community whose lives were forever impacted by his kindness and advocacy. Tony was preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Mary (Anastasia) Villiotti.

Tony’s life was defined not only by professional accomplishment and devotion to family, but by the remarkable way he transformed his personal health journey into a mission to serve others. After enduring a long battle with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, Tony received a liver transplant in 2018, a gift he never took for granted a single day thereafter. He courageously lived the last eight years of his life with profound gratitude, joy, and purpose following the gift of a lifesaving liver transplant.

Rather than slowing down after his transplant, Tony dedicated the remainder of his life to helping others avoid the suffering he experienced and to bringing awareness to the silent epidemic of fatty liver disease. In honoring the selfless gift of his organ donor, Tony (along with his wife and caregiver Betsy) founded Liver Education Advocates, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to educating the public about liver health, advocating for early detection and prevention, supporting patients and families, and raising awareness about the importance of liver health and also organ donation.

Tony openly shared his story not for sympathy, but for hope. Through public speaking, advocacy, support groups, educational outreach, and tireless community engagement, he has helped countless people better understand the importance of liver health and empowered many to seek lifesaving medical care. His passion, compassion, and determination touched lives far beyond Pittsburgh, reaching people across the nation and even internationally.

He often said he believed his life had been saved for a purpose and it was his obligation and a way to thank and honor his anonymous liver donor by helping others.

Those closest to Tony witnessed how deeply he appreciated every ordinary moment after his transplant - family dinners and vacations, baseball games, laughter with friends, conversations with strangers, sharing the importance of liver health and every sunrise he was blessed to see. He lived each day with a renewed sense of gratitude and purpose, determined to make every moment count.

Before his advocacy work, Tony enjoyed a successful professional career with Duquesne Light Company and its subsidiaries, where he held leadership and management roles for many years. He also served on the boards of publicly traded companies and previously worked in public accounting with Haskins & Sells, now Deloitte. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tony had a deep love for baseball and dedicated many years to supporting high school baseball players by hosting local showcase events through a nonprofit he started, West Penn Baseball Prospects. Tony also had a love for statistics and found joy in analyzing the NFL Draft prospects and success metrics, often selling this information to NFL teams.

Above all else, Tony’s greatest pride and joy was his family. He loved deeply, encouraged generously, and led by example through resilience, humor, humility, strength, and faith. His family remained the center of his world and the driving force behind everything he fought for.

Friends and family welcome on Monday, June 1st, 2026, from 2-4PM & 6-8PM at WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp., 15220. (412) 563 - 2800. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, June 2nd, 10 AM, at Saint Simon and Jude Church of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish,1607 Greentree Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15220. PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Liver Education Advocates to continue Tony’s mission of liver health education, advocacy, organ donor awareness, and support for patients and families.

Or, as a way to acknowledge and thank Tony’s incredible care team at Allegheny General Hospital, memorial contributions may also be sent to the Transplant Program Fund at Allegheny General Hospital in his memory. Tony’s family could never put into words the gratitude they have for every single person within the AGH/AHN network who has played a role in Tony’s care. We know without a doubt Tony received best-in-class care and we have great comfort and peace in that.

Memorial Contributions:

Liver Education Advocates

63 Stancey Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15220

www.liveradvocates.org/donate 

Allegheny Health Network

PO Box 535604

Pittsburgh, PA 15253

www.supportahn.org 

In honoring Tony’s final wishes, his family asks that everyone take time to cherish each day as the gift it truly is, register to become an organ donor, prioritize their health, and speak with their doctor about fatty liver disease and request a liver screening. Tony believed no one should take life for granted, and he spent his final years helping others receive the chance at life that he was so grateful to have been given.

www.slaterfuneral.com