Kenosha– Antonio “Tony” Passarelli, 85, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday morning, February 18, 2013.
Antonio was born in Marano Principato, Italy on February 20, 1927 to the late Francesco and Virginia (nee: Tenuta) Passarelli. Tony lived and worked in Argentina from 1949-1952. After immigrating to the United States in 1955, he returned to Italy to marry the love of his life, Carmela (nee: Arnone) on December 20, 1964. They returned to the United States on February 28, 1965. With only one goal in life….to make a better life for his family…..Tony began his tireless working career at Simmons and, eventually, Peter Pirsch & Sons Inc. – from where he retired. Simultaneously, Tony also worked in the restaurant business for John DeRango for over 50 years. In the early 1990’s, he co-founded DeRango’s Restaurant on 22nd Avenue in Kenosha and, more recently, was a proud supporter of his son’s business, Mario’s Italian Sports Bar & Restaurant in Racine. Struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease for the past 15 years, he enjoyed venturing out on daily neighborhood walks with the guidance of his faithful canine companion, Sonny. The only hobby Tony had was making sure his family’s wants and needs were met…..a goal he certainly attained. May he rest now in peace.
Surviving are his beautiful wife, Carmela; daughter, Virginia (Michael) Jacob; son, Mario Passarelli; adored grandchildren, Anthony, Alyssa and Andrew Jacob; brothers, Umile (Mary Ann) Passarelli and Giovanni (Rosetta) Passarelli; sisters, Esterina (Domenic) Savaglio and Rita Ruffolo; brothers-in-law, Giusseppe (Nina) Arnone, Mario (Ada) Arnone, Vincenzo (Luisa) Arnone and Luigi (Maddalena) Arnone; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Tony was preceded in death by his beloved son, Francesco “Frank” Passarelli on July 2, 1991; sisters, Rosina (Giusseppe) Pulice and Concetta (Francesco) Caira; brother-in-law, Pietro Ruffolo; niece, Maria Pulice; and nephews, Michael Passarelli and Benedetto Savaglio.
Funeral services will begin in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, February 22, 2013 at 10:00 am – followed by a procession to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church (1919 – 54th St. in Kenosha) for an 11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial. Entombment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday evening from 4-8 pm (Prayer Service at 4:30 pm) and again in the funeral home on Friday from 9-10 am.
A heartfelt note of thanks to Seasons Hospice (especially Jazz, Jenny and Kathy) for the compassionate care and support given during the past two years. Also, a special thanks to Dr. Ernesto Buencamino for 40 years of medical care and friendship extended to Tony. May God bless all of you!
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