Tony Subia - A Life of Purpose:

Tony Subia was the true heart and soul of the Seena Magowitz Foundation. While his commitment to combating pancreatic cancer came second only to his love for his family and beloved wife, Ruby, it didn’t stem from a deep personal connection to the disease. Yet, his efforts over his more than 16 years of pro bono service soon became deeply personal, and he devoted countless hours to advancing research and growing advocacy initiatives as the trusted right-hand man to Roger Magowitz, founder of the Seena Magowitz Foundation.

Tony first linked up with the foundation in 2009, when he met Roger by chance through a mutual friend. After hearing about Roger’s efforts to further pancreatic cancer research after losing his own mother, Seena, to the disease, Tony felt compelled to act.

“I thought, ‘Hey, I’ve been blessed all my life,’” Tony said. “It’s time to let go; there’s no need to keep making money. It was time for me to give back.”

Tony’s decision to devote so much of his time to the cause – completely free of charge – wasn’t just a matter of professional duty; it was also indicative of the values he held dear throughout his life. Long before his involvement with the Seena Magowitz Foundation, Tony made a name for himself as a prolific fundraiser and altruist, earning 1997’s National Society of Fundraising Executives “Spirit of Philanthropy Award” from the ASU Foundation. The award honors those whose philanthropic efforts contribute to the greater good, and the acknowledgement highlighted Tony’s commitment to creating meaningful change long before he joined the global fight against pancreatic cancer.

Away from the office, Tony was an active mentor and community leader, teaching Little League baseball and guiding young athletes both on and off the field. He even coached his team all the way to the Little League World Series and continued to maintain a steady presence in his players’ lives in the years that followed, tracking and celebrating their milestones and achievements long after their last at-bat.    

Tony’s passions also included poker, a hobby he enjoyed until his passing in December 2024, and golf, a sport that brought him notable success as a Las Vegas Invitational Amateur Golf Finalist, a recognition he earned after hitting a ball off the water to avoid taking a penalty. He was also a skilled bass fisherman, entering various tournaments over the years while devoting the same level of focus and discipline to the sport that he brought to all aspects of his life.

Until his passing at the age of 81, Tony continued to demonstrate that same commitment, dedicating thousands of hours to raising awareness and funding in the fight against pancreatic cancer without accepting a dime in return.

“Tony played a major role in putting the Seena Magowitz Foundation on the map,” said Roger Magowitz. “When I met Tony, we had almost no presence on social media and no website. He dove right in, putting in 60+ hours a week working on the foundation, reading articles and researching pancreatic cancer. This guy never slept. Anyone who knows him knows he’s a special individual, and all the work and effort he put in will never be forgotten.”

Tony also had a knack for remembering details and statistics, with Roger acknowledging that Tony likely knew more about pancreatic cancer than many pancreas doctors and specialists. This, coupled with Tony’s broad professional skillset, proved instrumental to the Seena Magowitz Foundation’s success, with his background in marketing and proficiency in technology and strategic communications helping amplify the foundation’s mission and extend its influence to countless patients and caregivers across the globe.