Anthony M. “Tony” Passa, 78 of Bellaire, Ohio died Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at the Valley Hospice South’s Liza’s Place in Wheeling, West Virginia.
He was born September 7, 1941 in Bellaire, Ohio son of the late Domenico and Jennie Marie DeMarco Passa.
Tony was an employee of the former Ohio Ferro Alloys and the former owner of two bakeries, a member of the Sons of Italy Lodge 754 Bellaire, graduate of St. John Central High School and a US Coast Guard veteran
Surviving are his daughters, Kathy (Scott) Klee of Neffs, Ohio and Diana Ring of Etowah, North Carolina and his sister, Anna (Richard) Greenwood of Bellaire, Ohio. Also five grandchildren, Erin (Jeremiah) Jones, Casey (Justin) Clendenin, Scott Michael Klee, Zachary Beard and Kail Ring and three great grandchildren, Gracie, Jenson and Peyton.
Private visitation and services will be held at the Bauknecht-Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory 441 37th Street Bellaire, Ohio with Fr. Daniel Heusel officiating. Inurnment in the Guardian Angel Mausoleum at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation by going to TMCFunding.com.
Share your thoughts and memories with Tony’s family at www.bauknechtaltmeyer.com.
Sandy Dimmick posted on 5/4/20
So sorry to hear about Tony. He Always had something to say. He will be missed. RIP my friend.
Cousins Pat DeMarco and Christine DeMarco posted on 5/3/20
All of the enthusiastic praises of Anthony by his many friends are true. Losing him so unexpectedly is heartbreaking. Deepest condolences to Dee Dee and Kathy, to Anna and Richard, and their families. We love you, dear Tony, and take comfort knowing that you are in the loving arms of Almighty God.
Pap T posted on 5/2/20
So sorry for your loss Kathy Erin and Casey. Deepest sympathies and prayers to the whole family.
Pap T posted on 5/2/20
So sorry for your loss Kathy, Erin and Casey. My deepest sympathy and prayers to the whole family .
John DeMarco posted on 5/1/20
My first memory of Anthony was before I was five years old. Uncle Dom had gone out and found two black and white hounds, one for Anthony and one for me. Unfortunately, Anthony lost his dog within the first year. Consequently Anthony and Uncle Dom use to ask me about my dog every time I came to visit, which was very often since my siblings and I were four in number and less than four years apart in age. My mother often needed help in the form of Anna babysitting all of us or my going to Aunt Jen and Uncle Dom's. When I came to visit Anthony, even though we were five years apart in age, Anthony took me every where he went and I don't remember him ever having a bad word to say about anybody. The entire Passa family was like that. My deepest condolences to Anna, Richard, Kathy and Dee Dee, also to all of Anthony's grandchildren and other relatives. Condolences should also go to his friends of seventy plus years. I know all of them only because of Anthony and I always knew how close they all were. For those of you who have ever spent Christmas Eve with Anthony and his family when Uncle Dom opened his first 50 gallon barrel of wine and Aunt Jen made buccala, smelt and every Italian cookie she could think of, it was an experience that no one could forget. Because of obvious circumstances I am unable to return for the services. May God rest Anthony's soul.
Bob, Jeri and Chris Hockstok posted on 5/1/20
God bless Uncle Tony and all of his family. We know this is a really hard time, but God will now take care of him.
Owen Hoffman posted on 5/1/20
so sorry to hear about Tony he was a close friend worked at Ohio Ferro with Tony . I will miss going to Breakfast with him when i visited . Anna & Richard you have my deepest sympathy.
Mike Schlanz posted on 5/1/20
Kathy, I extend my deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family in the loss of your father. Mike Schlanz
Dale Pettit posted on 5/1/20
I have lost a friend, and friends can never be replaced. I'll miss your smile and good humor. To Tony's daughters, we were neighbors on Holt Ave in Columbus, Ohio. One of you was a toddler and liked to talk with me when I came home from work. You had new shoes and knew how to say "New Shoes" and really liked to show them off. Our whole conversation would be --each of us saying "New Shoes" Eventually, your memories will be heart warming, but it takes time. An old friend from High School, Dale
Jerry Liberatore posted on 5/1/20
Tony was a very special man. For quite sometime, he was faced with some difficult physical challenges but always remained positive and upbeat. He was respected by everyone that had the good fortune to know him. RIP my friend!!!
Mike Velt posted on 5/1/20
My heart is broken...I have lost a dear, dear friend of 72 years. He was, is and will always be my hero..a man admired for his courage and strength of character. Tony was a truly, remarkable man...with a deep and abiding love for his family, his friends, his home town and his Italian roots. In all the years I've known Pass, I never saw him angry, never heard him speak hatefully of anyone...his decency always made me resolve to be a better man. Life dealt him many serious, sometimes crushing blows which he handled with uncomplaining dignity. There is so much more to say about Anthony, Lib and I have such a long and storied history with him..i.e. grade and high school, playing ball, college/the service, the screwball 60's, marriage, fatherhood, jobs, and best of all.. growing old together. These memories will sustain us for as long as we live! Finally, my deepest sympathies to Anna and Rich, Kathy and Diane, all the grandchildren, great grandchildren, and brothers Lib and Jackie. Praise Our Lord..Anthony now WALKS beside Him, in his most beautiful self. Rest in the glory you earned on earth. Til we meet again, Mike
Nicholas S. posted on 4/30/20
When I started working at the apartments, some people would warm up to you right away, some took their time, but Mr. Passa (or as we called him Mr. Tony) was friendly right off. He would always greet me the second he saw me, ask me how things were going and just chat with you because he was just a friendly guy in that way. I remember that he had asked me about smartphones on a few occasions because he had heard that I knew things on the subject. He was absolutely astounded when I told him all the things you could do with them. It felt really nice that I could teach someone who already had a boatload of wisdom something new. I absolutely hate that I didn't get to know him better than I did because I'm sure he probably had some stories that would have amazed even me. Mr. Tony was always kind as many people there were but talking to him, even for just a bit was a really great way to make your day. Where ever he may be now just gained an exceptional and outstanding person and will be richer for it. If I could be even half the man he was, I'll know that I did good in life. He was a man with a life well lived. Here's to you Mr. Tony. You may have passed but your spirit lives on.
Dan Linaweaver posted on 4/30/20
Mr Tony an I became friends while I was the maintenance man at the carnes appt we talked to each other almost every day he was a great guy an I am proud to say he was my friend he will be missed by many R.I.P. my friend go rest high on that mountain
Frances king posted on 4/30/20
Diana you and your family in my thoughts and prayers hold on to each other during this time
Frances king posted on 4/30/20
Diana you and your family in my thoughts and prayer hold on to each other during this time
Trina Baker posted on 4/30/20
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and Prayers to the family. Trina Cap and family
Rich Cavicchia posted on 4/30/20
I was proud to call Anthony a friend. Anthony, Jerry, Jack and myself were four guys from Bellaire and from SJC, who continued to get together for dinner 50 years later. We drank wine, ate good food, told lots of stories and laughed a lot. Those dinners left lasting memories, and it doesn't get much better than that. My deepest condolences and best wishes to his family. Anthony will always be remembered as one of the "good guys". May he rest in peace.
Dianne Foster posted on 4/30/20
so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
Dianne Foster posted on 4/30/20
I am so sorry for your loss. I am trying so hard to handle my own loss...such a sad time with all of this corona pandemic to deal with at the same time. Prayers for you and your family. Dianne Foster Hendersonville NC
Betsy Merryman Roth posted on 4/30/20
Thoughts of Tony always brought smiles. Today, a sad one but still a smile. We shared twelve years of school at St.John’s. In the past ten to fifteen years we talked every few months on the phone; and, Tony could out talk me! He was known as our “historian”! We talked in February and I heard about you Kathy and DeeDee and about the grandchildren. Anna, he brought you up as well saying about your closeness. Once again he told me about Libby stopping by or calling almost daily usually with an excuse but Tony said he knew he was simply checking up on him. Tony was a person who inspired loyal friendships. I’m so thankful he was able to come last June to our 60th Reunion. My deepest sympathy to all his family and his friends. He will be missed
Jack Pompei posted on 4/30/20
Tony was a dear friend of mine. For many years Tony, Jerry Libratore, Mike Velt and I went fishing at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland, sometimes twice a year. We would throw all our fishing gear and our essentials in my Yukon and head to the Lake Star Lodge at the lake. I will always remember those times!! Even though I was a couple of years behind Tony, Jerry and Mike in school, we all grew up in Bellaire and were friends. We also meet for dinners and luncheons over the years. We especially like Italian food, Tony always ordered Gnocci. I want to convey my deepest sympathy to the family, may heart is with you. Again Tony was a very dear friend and will always cherish the times we spent having fun.
Joanne Misenhelder posted on 4/30/20
Dee dee and Kathy, So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
Cheryl J Skinner, Tri-State Military Museum posted on 4/30/20
May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time, May you come to know that the love of God is with you always, May your memories of Anthony M. Passa, give you peace, comfort and strength… Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete. I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers to the family of …. US Coast Guard Veteran, Anthony M. Passa, is “A True American Hero” God Bless† † Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †
Cindy Elza posted on 4/29/20
My sincere condolences to the family. I will miss him dearly. We had many conversations and prayers for so many of his family members over the years. He truly loved all his family and friends. He is at peace forever in our hearts.
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Kim (Rogers) Krahel posted on 5/11/20
I am So sorry read about the passing of Tony (my godfather) such a presence in my younger years when the parents would get together. Rest In Peace.