The Anthony M. Varvaro Believe Foundation is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Our Board of Directors is entirely comprised of volunteers.
About Anthony
Anthony M. Varvaro was born on October 31, 1984. Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Anthony, in his father’s words, “always had a plan”. His decorated baseball career began to take off at Curtis High School, where he met his future wife Kerry. From there, Anthony’s baseball journey wound through stops at St. John’s University and several minor league cities, before Anthony broke through to the Major Leagues with the Seattle Mariners. Along the way, Anthony never cleared his mind of his other dream goal, to serve the community in law enforcement, inspired partly by his godfather, NYPD Officer James Leahy, who was killed in the attacks on 9/11.
Anthony was a member of the Atlanta Braves from 2011-2014, leading the team in bullpen innings during the 2013 playoff season, and finished his career with the Boston Red Sox in 2015. It was while a member of the Red Sox organization that Anthony got the call from the Port Authority Police Department, a call that made him decide it was time to hang up his cleats and get to work protecting the people of his community. Upon graduating from the P.A.P.D. Academy in 2016, Anthony spent five years patrolling the World Trade Center campus, before returning to the Academy to take the lead in modernizing the P.A.P.D. training program.
In the meantime, Anthony re-established his roots on Staten Island, bringing his professional experiences and his always calm and caring demeanor to his children’s countless sports activities. He served as President of Snug Harbor Little League and was an integral part of a leadership transition taking major steps to brighten the Little League’s future. After his passing, the Little League’s grounds were re-named as the Anthony M. Varvaro Memorial Complex, with a massive multi-year plan to install light fixtures and turf at the Little League being completed in Anthony’s memory within just seven months of his passing.
Anthony M. Varvaro, 37, died September 11, 2022, while on the way to serve at the World Trade Center for 9/11 commemoration events, in his position as a Port Authority Police Officer. Anthony is survived by his wife Kerry; children Anthony M. Jr., Jonathan, Christian, and Savannah; parents Torrence and Paulette; and brother Torrence as well as numerous beloved family and friends.
Inspired by Anthony, and the way he lived behind the word BELIEVE tattooed on his wrist, Anthony’s family and friends look to continue and carry on Anthony’s legacy through the work of the Anthony M. Varvaro Believe Foundation, ensuring that the spirit he personified and the example he set for all create good for many years to come.
