In Memoriam -- Grandpa Tony -- May 1924 to January 2013
This past week was a difficult one for my family -- my wife's Dad, Tony Indomenico, passed away at the age of 88. Tony suffered a severe stroke earlier this month. When it became apparent that the doctors could no longer help him, he was transferred to a hospice in Gilbert Arizona.
His family and the Hospice staff provided loving care for several days, before he passed away. That period, along with all of the arrangements afterward, were complicated by the fact that I recently tore a muscle in my right shoulder -- causing me a great deal of physical pain.
I want to take a moment to thank our many friends and neighbors, who provided such incredible support during this difficult time. A special thank you to Wanda and John Kasel, and family, who took such great care of our dog Alfie -- we are truly blessed to have your friendship!
Grandpa Tony, with his Granddaughters Lauren and Nicole Crane
Here is some information about Tony's interesting life, along with the things I will remember about him...
Tony was born in Siracusa, Sicily in 1924. He was the sixth of seven children and his father died when he was just three years old. He grew up in poverty, in a home with a dirt floor and food usually scarce.
At the age of 13, in order to learn a trade, he became an apprentice to a local barber. That launched a 67 year career as a hair stylist and speaks to his strong work ethic. I estimate that over the course of his life, he probably provided more than 400,000 haircuts.
In his late teens, during World War II, he was drafted into the Italian Army and fought with Allied forces. He spent more than two years as a prisoner of war in Germany, where he learned to speak German (and some Russian, from some of the other prisoners from that part of the world).
After the War, he returned to Italy and then eventualy emigrated to Venezuela. There, he opened his own barbershop and learned Spanish. He lived there for about eight years, before a sister helped him to emigrate to the United States (specifically the Cleveland Ohio area). Tony's ability to endure the hardships of war and his wilingness to keep starting over -- learning new languages along the way -- document that he was always a survivor.
In Ohio he met his future bride, Alida, and they would go on to a raise two daughters and enjoy a 51 year marriage. Most recently, he was a resident of the Cortina community in Queen Creek Arizona (living right across the street from us, "Everybody Loves Raymond" style!)
Among Tony's interests were singing, listening to Italian folk music and Opera, and vegetable gardening. He was a man who was able to derive a lot of pleasure from the simple things in life, whether eating a big plate of pasta or making his own wine, or playing with his grand children. He was always known for his smile and his high-energy personality.
Tony was blessed with a long life and it was a life well lived. We will miss you, Tony!
In Memoriam -- Grandpa Tony -- May 1924 to January 2013
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