In Memory

Anthony DeFazio

Anthony DeFazio



 
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03/31/21 12:34 PM #1    

Henry (Hank) Kratzer

Tony and I went to school together starting at St. Elizabeth’s grade school and ending at PHS. I remember Tony as one of those guys everyone liked because he was so easy going and friendly. He enjoyed having fun and seemed so happy nearly every day. He could be a prankster sometimes but that is what endeared us to him. We did not hang out at PHS, only occasionally passing by each other with our own group of friends. I private-messaged Tony before the 50-year reunion to discuss our plans to attend the event but neither of us could make it because of the timing. Only recently did I see the in-memory section on this website to find out that Tony had passed away. 

Curious as to what happened to Tony, I tracked down his wife, Candy, in Long Beach, who very, very graciously spoke with me about Tony for almost an hour even though she and I had never met. Tony had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for about the last 5 years. After he took a bad fall at home, Candy was not able to care for him. In his care facility he became ill and was admitted to the hospital, where he contracted COVID-19 and died on December 18, 2020.

As you can imagine, after 46 years of marriage, his death has been especially hard on Candy. They met at Long Beach State in their early twenties, bought a house in Long Beach, and enjoyed travelling and especially lawn bowling. Tragically, Candy was not able to do a “real” funeral or even be beside him because of all the restrictions. But she told me she was so very, very grateful for the many cards and letters from friends and family she received. That meant a lot to her. I’m only too sad that I was not able to say goodbye and much more to have missed reconnecting with Tony again.


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