We spent so much time on the bluff.  Growing up in what is called the 'Heights' was considered a luxury since it was in the city, but afforded a feeling of openess.  Located at the south-east end of Newburgh, the Heights was a type of cul-de-sac with no industry and no thoroughfare.  It afforded gorgeous views of the Hudson River and Bannerman's Island. 
Bascially if you were on the Heights you had better have a good reason, since it was all residential.  There was no 'hanging out' on the heights without every mom knowing what you were up to.  Those women had a phone tree before they even called it a phone tree.  If you got out of line, your mom knew before you could ever get home to explain.  
Now...according to the city, they outline a larger area and call it the Heights.
But to those of us who grew up there, the top of the hill is the actual 'Heights'.  Everything else is nothing more than a 'wanna-be' to us.  We were the Heights.  We were the Bluff.  

We spent every free moment on the bluff, down the bluff and around the bluff.  It became a part of us.  If you notice, as we grew up, most of the pictures of us are taken on the bluff overlooking the Hudson River.
It was a family member to us.
Even though I had moved away from the Heights many years before, the Bluff was even included in my wedding photos. 
Living so close to a personal park gave us such an advantage that many do not experience.  We enjoyed it, we took care of it and we loved it. 
Our Grandfather lived there, our Dad grew up there and we were all raised there.  Even our nieces spent all their childhood there. 
So many of our childhood stories centered around the bluff.  It was our haven, our playground and a place for reflection, day-dreaming and rough-housing.   
Football, baseball (with a few broken windows of our neighbors) frisbee and so many other games that we played on the bluff.  Laying in the cool grass on a warm summer day and watching the clouds float by, trying to see what kind of shapes they would create. Flying kites and watching the wind carry them over the Hudson.  
Now it is cared for by the city, which means it isnt cared for very well.  They mow about 3 times a summer.  When we were kids, it was mowed every week.  Our neighbor Mack, was the main caretaker of the bluff.    

The point is, is that Tony was the unofficial KING of the bluff.  The boys had made a game of jumping over the edge of the bluff to see who could fly the farthest before landing down the roughly 40 degree embankment.  Tony was fearless, and would start in the Cornells' backyard...get the all clear from us...and he would take off running down the alley, across the street, across the bluff and then would literally jump as high and long as he could over the edge of the bluff. 
It was always a test to see who could outdo the other.
I did it a number of times, but the boy's ruled that particular form of art.  They even did it with bikes at times.
They were insane and amazing.     

I think that is why Tony broke records in High School for pole jumping.  Fearless.  

I'd like to think that when Tony died, he found himself on the bluff again.  
He was able to start at the back of the Cornell's property, and start running down the alley and across the street...across the bluff and jump as high and long as he could over the edge of the bluff.



Only this time he would be able to fly free, soaring over the Hudson and beyond.

Anthony Lambert Marullo was born on Wednesday, August 3, 1966 at 1:45 am to John and Lucy Marullo.
He was their fourth child, their second son and the apple of his mother's eye.

Born with a full head of hair and the biggest brown eyes, he melted the hearts of everyone he met.

His greatest hero was his big brother John, and followed him everywhere.
He was small in stature and big in heart.
Fearless and loyal.     

December 29th,2014


What I learned From Tony-

He was Wise and Quite knowledgeable:

Proverbs 24:3-4 and 14

Through wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established.

By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, this is a prospect and your hope will not be cut off.

I know for me I learned something new from Tony each day that passed.

Words of anger once they are out, you cant take them back so pause…..

Ecclesaties 5:2

Do not be rash with your mouth, and let your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven and you on earth. There for let your words be few.

Words have a lot of power, and Tony knew and understood that, and he did not take that lightly..He would remind me, that his silence was not because he didn’t want to discuss a matter, but he wanted to ensure that what came through his mouth, didn’t destroy the person.

Be an Offering-

1 Corinthians 10:24

Let no one seek his own, but each other’s wellbeing.

Tony was a solid man, not just physically but in areas. He was a man of character and integrity. His compassion and goodwill for all living creatures despite their fragilities was beyond measure. He managed to see past all the dust, and rust- the dirt and filth and see the beauty beyond all the goop.

Be a friend-

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two are better than one…If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

As we all know, Tony was a friend to all….Time and time again, he would put the interests of others before his own.

Forgive-

Ephesians 4:31-32

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you.. And be kind to one another tenderhearted, forgiving one another as Christ forgave you.

Tony never wanted to hold a grudge, he just didn’t see the point….To be honest after I discover more about Tony, and the obstacles that he overcame, he was completely in the right to turn the other way from those who had done him wrong, but he didn’t.

Love- A commandment

John 14;10

A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you that you also love on another.

I had always known that Tony was selfless, he was just that kind of man..He may not have equated it as loving one another, but as we have seen- Tony loved and gave all to all.

The Power of Love- Love One another

1 Corinthians 13 

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.

Love never fails.

In conclusion,

Please know that Tony taught me more than what has been spoken of, and I am sure as we proceed forward -these gifts that he had given us, will hopefully be a reminder to all of us that life is short, and what we do here has the power to build bridges, dream dreams and touch so many lives.

John 15: 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.
 

Tony did not take that call lightly- he did bear fruit. You left us a legacy-You loved unapologetically-Tried and True right to the end-A friend to all-Tony was a child of mercy and grace who blessed so many us.

Robert Frost once said, “Two roads diverged in a wood, I took the road less traveled. That has made all the difference”. Tony took the road less traveled, and as we look around his life and his journey, that decision,his decision to be who he was, made a difference in all our lives.And if we live our lives accordingly and wisely use the gifts that Tony has given to us- has the power to impact and influence generations to come.

You taught us so much.  More than I think you realized while you were alive.
Our bond will never be broken, even death cannot separate us.
I find that even now, I still defend you though I know that I dont need to.  I still watch over you, or the memory of you, for it is a precious thing to me...to us.
I know that you werent perfect.  None of us are.  But I know your heart, and I know that it was beautiful.  It shined, like a diamond.  It radiated for all to see if they cared to look.
Yesterday so many people told me so.  
We saw it. 
We had it in our lives and we are so very grateful that we had you in our lives. 
 
  
Laura spoke so eloquently of you at the prayer service.
There are those who spend years together and never truly know or appreciate what they have.
You knew.  She knew.  

It is my comfort.
It is my deepest comfort to know that you experienced such joy.  Such love, such selfless love given by you and returned to you. 

It was all I ever prayed for when I would pray for you.
It continues to give me peace.
No one ever deserved it more than you.