Over the weekend, the Sedona community learned of the death of Tony Carito.
Carito was not an elected official, nor the director of any nonprofit charity, but he was an integral part of our community — he was a philanthropist of spirit. A Sedona resident since 1984, Carito was a colorful figure, often bedecked in bright clothes and a colorful variety of scarves, fedoras and berets.
As the city’s unofficial “Minister of Fun,” he personified the complicated interplay that is Sedona: A little artsy, a little musical, a little New Agey, a little magical, a little theatrical but always light-hearted with a smile on his face. He reminded those who have grown cynical over the years that they still call Sedona home and that alone is worth smiling about because this is a beautiful city in which to live.
Carito said he practiced the “Art of Joy.” He encapsulated the best parts of us, whether it was in discussing the local news of the day at Sedona’s coffee shops or participating in arts festivals. Whether he was on stage or not, Carito was a huge supporter of the arts, often sitting in the front row at concerts and performances with his beaming smile.
Carito had no qualms about performing on the spot, and making a fool of himself for the amusement of his audience. He taught us that embarrassment is just an internal illusion we create ourselves — and like a monster under the bed, embarrassment only exists if we chose to believe it does. He showed us to be brave enough to look.
On the few occasions when he inadvertently offended someone, he was quick to apologize and make amends; in this, he was a better man than most of us and certainly a better man than I. He was a mensch if there ever was one.
He dabbled in photography, poetry, playwrighting, filmmaking and acting, but it was as an improvisational comedian that Carito was best known to most Sedona residents. He was most recently a member of the ZenProv comedy troupe, but had performed with previous improv incarnations like Abandoned Minds, Off the Top and the Vortex Players, dating back to the 1980s.
Carito often offered his skills as a singer and comedian to local nonprofits, performing in sketches at meetings and presentations. Animated, uninhibited and great to photograph at these events, he was a regular fixture, often appearing on our newspaper pages.
Word of Carito’s death began to spread around town on Friday, Aug. 29, and his Facebook page ballooned with heartfelt tributes, favorite photos, anecdotes and quotes from his life. There was a palpable sense of sorrow at events over Labor Day weekend. At a dance party on Saturday, much of the conversation on the patio revolved around remembering the man who was sadly and conspicuously absent.
Friends are planning to host a formal celebration of life at noon on Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. Whether you knew Tony Carito in life or not, Sedona is a slightly less colorful place without him, but the joy he imbued will remain in the sounds of our laughter.
Christopher Fox Graham
Managing Editor
