On March 13th, 2026, Anthony Moccia's fight against cancer ended.

But his end isn't what is important, it's the way he lived his life.

Anthony Moccia was a super hero whose origin story started out a little differently.

He didn't crash into earth like a meteor. He wasn't bitten by a spider. He wasn't avenging a great wrong. But even without a beginning that included fireworks or car chases, he became the sort of hero no one will forget.

Anthony was born in May 1982, son of Paul and Patricia Moccia in Littleton, NH, but he would have called Vermont his real home.

It was when he moved to Vermont that he started collecting his cadre of heroes. It is impossible to talk about Anthony without talking about the people he surrounded himself with. He met his best friends, Tom Paradis, Emily Jankowski (Kiser), Barry Sykes, Nate Laber, and Andrew Comtois, in kindergarten, and they stayed by his side right to the end. In the history of super groups, there will never be a league of heroes like this one. In elementary school, Anthony pulled in Corey Sicotte, and in high school, Derek Limoges, Jaime and Mac McKenney, Abbie Harris, Ashley Maroot, and Crystal O'Keefe. The league of super friends wasn't insular though. With Anthony leading the charge, they collected all sorts of supers, and together, their good works spread throughout the world.

Anthony was an incredible athlete right from the start. He started cross-country skiing almost as soon as he could walk, and not even the coldest day—or Spandex—kept him from competing. Throughout his life, Anthony's pain or discomfort never stopped him from succeeding, and excelling, at everything. Work, friendships, coaching, parenthood—Anthony was all-in. In high school, he was part of teams that won championships (don't hold it against them. They didn't realize they were supposed to hide their super strength). At North Country Union High School, they were cross-country skiing champions, track and field champions, and soccer champs. Of course, kittens were still rescued from trees, cars were jump-started, and bank robberies were foiled, but those were more side-projects. In adulthood, their coaches—Jose Batista and Mike Kiser—went from mentors to friends, and were at Anthony's side as he fought his final battle.

Anthony attended Lyndon State College, and joined the soccer team there. He met even more heroes: Nick, Shawn, Jake, Ben, Rob, and Josh (please forgive the lack of last names, because his sister didn't know them all, and couldn't even have kept track of them if she did). Later, he competed in Ironman competitions, and met friends Tony and Michelle. Hopefully, it's becoming clear how many heroes Anthony knew, and how they recognized the desire to do good in each other and so, joined forces.

In his everyday work, Anth always managed to help people and support them as they followed their dreams. His bosses and co-workers, especially Josh (Julie), and Dan (Linda) recognized that in him, and he became a leader not just in his daily work, but in

bringing opportunities to the local community. Anthony's love of cycling had him spear-heading the Dirty 40 race and the famous early spring gravel race, Rasputitsa, which he attacked head-on with dear friend, Heidi Myers.

Every hero needs a heroine, and there was only one person—Cija Gray—who was strong enough to be at Anthony's side. They met in high school, but it wasn't until years later when they realized they were an unstoppable duo. That kind of power is generally too strong to be combined but when twins Isabella and Kallen came along, and later, daughter Elliana, it became obvious to everyone that the universe had a reason for bringing the two together. Anthony's joy in his family was like his strength—unlimited. He coached the sports, attended the dances, danced the dances, and amplified every interest his children had. He made sure they were exposed to all the best music, but agreed that Benson Boone had bangers, as well. He adored his children, and he and Cija worked tirelessly to give them every opportunity to play, imagine, and succeed. Even when he had no voice, and little breath, Anthony would open his eyes when he heard his children's voices to tell them he loved them more than anything. He made sure that the heroes he'd found in his life would surround his children with his love, even when he wasn't there.

Our Superman is survived by more friends than can be named, though his sister gave it a shot, and his family is unendingly grateful for the people who held his hand with them while he passed.

He is survived by the warrior he married, Cija, and the heroes-to-be that are his children, Kallen, Isabella, and Elliana. He is survived by his parents, Patricia Moccia (Ted Rogers), and Paul Moccia (Mare Straube), and his sister, Stephanie Ripley (Brad). He is survived by his nephews and nieces, Anora, Thelan, and Jake, and the very special student he coached, Jacob. He is survived by his mother-in-law, Laura, and sister-in-law, Tiana.

He was pre-deceased by grandparents Phil and Ann Scott, Cosmo Moccia, and uncle, Steve Scott.

While we are devastated that we won't see Anthony every day, I think he would tell us that we don't need to project a signal in the sky to remember him. His strength and humor live on in his wife and children, and the good that he did in the short time he was here on Earth.

A celebration of Anthony's life will be held at a later date. If friends desire memorial contributions in Anthony's name may be made to the Anthony Moccia Family Fund C/O Passumpsic Bank P.O. Box. 218, Newport, VT 05855. Online condolences are welcomed at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.