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Anthony Pontoni Obituary

Anthony "Tony" R. Pontoni Athens After a brief and courageous battle with cancer, Anthony "Tony" R. Pontoni, 52, of Athens, went to be with his Lord Saturday, October 10, 2009 at The Manor of Battle Creek. He was born July 3, 1957, in Battle Creek to Raymond J. and Margaret E. (Judd) Pontoni. Tony attended St. Philip High School where he played on the State Championship Varsity football team and graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1976. He owned Tony's Food and Catering in Athens and opened Tony's Bistro in 1999 in downtown Athens. The popular eatery specialized in Italian dishes prepared with his Mother's and Grandmother's recipes and sauces. He later sold the restaurant and worked as a cook at the Broadway Grille in Union City and Champs Restaurant in Battle Creek until becoming ill last summer. Before opening the restaurant business he served as President of Nottawa Gardens Corporation in Athens and was a licensed realtor with Reece Realty. Tony was a former member of the Athens Rotary Club, Athens Area Historical Society, Athens Community Association and served as a volunteer fireman for the Athens Fire Department. Tony loved riding and touring on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He was an avid golfer and a fan of U of M football, Tiger's baseball and NASCAR. Tony enjoyed cooking, hunting, camping, traveling, aviation, music, snowmobiling, hair scramble motorcycle racing and spending time with his children, grandchildren, extended family and many great friends. He is survived by sons, Christopher (Lauren) Pontoni of Lake Mary, Florida and Gregory (Jeanelle) Pontoni of Orlando, Florida; grandchildren, Juliun and Peyton Pontoni and a grandson due in January 2010; sisters, Anna Marie Pontoni of Springboro, Ohio, Gina Rae Pontoni of Sydney, Australia, Teresa Ann Pontoni of Battle Creek and his father, Raymond (Debra) Pontoni of Athens and Osprey, Florida. Tony was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret "Peggy" Pontoni, in 2002. He is also survived by his first wife and mother of his children, Susan (Snook) Doyle. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Sunday, October 18, 2009 at Shaw Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will take place 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, 2009 at the funeral home, Rev. Fr. Robert Cregan, officiating. Interment, Burr Oak Cemetery, Athens. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society. The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home. www.shawfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Battle Creek Enquirer on Oct. 14, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Pontoni

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Marcia Carpenter

November 3, 2009

I'm sorry to hear of Tony's passing. He will be remembered for his ready smile and giving soul.

October 27, 2009

Toni was a wonderful person - we were classmates at St. Philip. Your family is in our prayers.

Xenia Rose Schafer

Charles Rose

October 20, 2009

Dear Pontoni Family,

I really liked Tony and I’ll miss him as a friend and classmate of my sister Xenia Rose Schafer. I remember when he gave me a personal tour of the family business and took the time to really have a conversation with me about all sorts of things. Please know that during this difficult time our family offers our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers for all of the Pontoni family and for Tony.

“We will miss you Tony and remember you not only as a St Philip Alumnus but as a friend.”

May God keep you and bless you forever in His name.

The Rose Family

Jacqueline Guthrie

October 19, 2009

Tony will be greatly missed by many. He was a great man, I had so many good times in his home when I was younger. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, especially Greg and Chris.

Amy (Fettig) Trexler

October 19, 2009

I went to high school with Tony - I remember him playing varsity football.

The way I will always remember his is with a smile on his face and joking around.

My prayers are with his family. God bless you during this difficult time.

Mark Munyon

October 15, 2009

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Michael Ratti

October 14, 2009

I am sorry to hear of Tony's passing. I went to school with Tony and graduated with him at St. Philip. He was a good person and always had something fun or humorus to say. A great human being, and very civic minded. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Michael Ratti
Ann Arbor, MI.

Mike and Judi Henckel

October 14, 2009

We were so sorry to hear of Tony's passing. We are praying for your family and sending warm thoughts your way.

Sharri Upton

October 14, 2009

I am so sorry to hear about Tony. I didn't know him personally, but we both went to St. Philip and I graduated 1 year earlier than he did. So sad to see someone die so young. He was a part of our close-knit St. Philip family. My deepest condolences to his family.

TOM AND SALLI THOMPSON

October 14, 2009

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY. TONY WAS A VERY SPECIAL PERSON WITH A GREAT PERSONALITY AND WONDERFUL SMILE. I FEEL EXTREAMELY BLESSED TO HAVE HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL FRIEND. MAY ALL YOUR GOOD TIMES AND WONDERFUL MEMORIES YOU MADE OVER THE YEARS WARM YOUR HEART AND CONSOLE YOU.

Angela Engblom

October 14, 2009

SO sorry about your loss, Tony was an awesome man...he will be missed.

Brenda Longman

October 14, 2009

Our hearts go out to your family. We know words cannot express but our prayers are with you.

Rob/Maureen Doubleday

October 14, 2009

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Tony was such a great neighbor and a wonderful friend. We will miss him.

DENISE MICHIELSEN

October 14, 2009

Tony was a great cook. His smile will be missed.

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