Anthony Scalisi was born on September 9, 1907 to parents Ignatius Scalisi and Anna Tantillo in Woodstock, Ontario. His early education was at St. Mary’s School in Woodstock, and he remained in Woodstock through high school years, before going to study at St. Peter’s Seminary. He was ordained on June 10, 1933 by Bishop John T. Kidd in St. Peter’s Cathedral. His first role was as assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Windsor.