Anthony Miranda, Jr.

Anthony Miranda, Jr., DDS, age 79, entered the arms of his heavenly Father on February 21, 2023, the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus. Tony was born in New Orleans on May 14, 1943. He attended St. Joseph’s boarding school in Gretna, then St. Henry grade school followed by De La Salle and Loyola University, graduating from the School of Dentistry in 1966. In August of that year he was drafted into the US Army, reporting for duty at Fort Jackson, SC and spent his service treating the dental needs of soldiers going into battle in Vietnam. He finished his service with the rank of Captain in 1968. Returning to Louisiana, Tony spent the next year as an instructor at Loyola in radiology and oral diagnosis. He entered private dental practice in 1969 in Metairie in which he continued until December 1998. He was one of the first dentists in New Orleans to offer free dental services to underprivileged children and persons with disabilities.

Tony was a member of the Louisiana Dental Association (LDA) for more than 54 years and was on the LDA’s Board of Directors from 1977-78. He also held the office of Vice-President and President of the Association. He was Chairman of the New Orleans Dental Conference in 1984 and was instrumental in revitalizing that important event.  In that same year, he was a leader, working to make the World’s Fair in New Orleans a reality.  He was President of the New Orleans Dental Association (NODA) in 1987 and played a leadership role in breathing new life into that organization.  Other offices which Tony held include Chairman, Children’s Dental Health Week, and NODA board member. In 1988, he received an American Dental Association award for meritorious service for dental surgical services in Ecuador and Mexico and in 2018 he was the recipient of the LDA Distinguished Service Award.  In 2004, NODA recognized Tony as the Honor Dentist for that year.  Despite retiring from private practice, Tony continued to act as a member of the Advisory Committee of the New Orleans Dental Conference & LDA Annual Session. 

In Tony’s private life, he had an avid interest in photography and his rose garden with a particular interest in old garden roses. But he is perhaps best known for his interest in wine – ’82 and ‘86 Bordeaux in particular. He and his wife Peggy belonged to three wine clubs and Tony was in demand as a teacher about wine, wine pairing and tasting. Local wine stores would engage Tony to promote their wines due to his extensive knowledge.

He was preceded in death by his father Anthony Miranda, Sr., and his mother, Helen Grace (Penny) Miranda. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Mary Margaret (Peggy) (Gerard) Miranda, sons Roland William Howell, Jr. and Mark Anthony Miranda, daughters Melissa Anne Miranda (Scott) Johnson and Melanie Lynn Miranda, grandchildren, Julia Johnson and Scott Henry Johnson, Jr., and sister Carol Miranda Allen.

Funeral will be held at Mary Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church in Mandeville, LA at 12 noon on March 23, 2023. Visitation will be from 10am until noon in the church. Internment immediately following at St. Joseph Abbey in Benedict (Covington) Louisiana. No flowers please. Donations in Tony’s honor may be made to the charity of your choice.