Toni Lynn (Calcagnino) Lee

July 9, 1945 - April 13, 2022

Toni Lynn (Calcagnino) Lee, a longtime resident of Syracuse, NY died on April 13, 2022. Toni was born to Anthony and Helen Calcagnino on July 9, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. The family moved to Central New York where she grew up in the University neighborhood of Syracuse. She was an avid Syracuse University fan and bled orange. As a teenager, Toni excelled in swimming winning awards for her events. She was an excellent baton twirler and taught her younger sister how to twirl. As an adult, Toni was a union activist in a company she worked for where she continued her quest of championing the rights of working people. She had many hobbies and interests that included antiquing and refinishing furniture, ceramics, and photography. Toni’s creativity with ceramics won her first place at the New York State Fair. Toni was an avid photographer preferring animals and nature. Her favorite places to photograph were Beaver Lake Nature Center and Sandy Pond where she and her family vacationed for many years and made lifelong memories. Toni's family was her biggest achievement. For years she hosted family holiday parties. The food was wonderful and there was always too much of it. Abbondanza! Toni is predeceased by her parents; and former husband, John Lee. She is survived by her four sons, Victor (Cathy) Lee, John (Elaine) Lee, Christopher (Julie) Lee, and Gregory (Lisa) Lee; an aunt, Anne Calcagnino; her siblings, Michael (Linda) Calcagnino, Stephen (Barbara Jo Metcalfe) Calcagnino, Gail (Eric Stohrer) Calcagnino, and Anthony (Luanne) Calcagnino. Toni had seven grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins who will all miss her. She moved to Mississippi two decades ago and had her companion LeRoy Stevens at her side until her death. There will be a closed family service in the future. The family asks to remember Toni Lee with donations to the local SPCA 5878 East Molloy Road, Syracuse, NY 13211 (315) 454-4479.