Antone Bertoglio

1939 - 2025

Antone Bertoglio

Antone "Tony" Louis Bertoglio, 85, passed away on January 12, 2025. He was born in Butte, Montana, in 1939 to the late Angelina (Jacenich) and Louis Bertoglio. His paternal grandparents emigrated from Italy, and his maternal grandparents came to the U.S. from Czechoslovakia.

After graduating from high school, Tony spent a summer working in a local mine, saving enough money to purchase and customize a 1947 Studebaker. Realizing that a life in the mines wasn't for him, with the exception of the hearty pasties, he pursued higher education at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, where he earned his BBA in accounting in 1962. Tony became known for his legendary "rescue" of a bear cub near Yellowstone National Park in the aforementioned Studebaker. Tony also served as a Specialist in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1962 until 1968 and briefly explored life as a Brother for the Catholic Church before embarking on his professional journey. A friend living in San Francisco encouraged him to come live with him and find work there, and his time in California began working at Lenkurt Electric Co.

In 1962, Tony met Nadine Schendel at a party, where their connection began with what has been described as a "life-altering kiss in the kitchen." The two were inseparable from that moment on and were married for nearly 60 years. Together, they built a beautiful life, welcoming three daughters in California. In 1971, Tony announced his promotion at GTE Lenkurt, prompting a move to Albuquerque, New Mexico, which he described as a "short-term" relocation. The family settled into life in New Mexico, and a few years later, they welcomed their fourth daughter.

Tony enjoyed a long and successful career in business operations with GTE Lenkurt, which later became Siemens, spanning twenty-six years. He ultimately rose to VP of Manufacturing, responsible for Siemens' U.S. and Mexico manufacturing before taking an early retirement in 1989. He was also active in his community, serving on the board of Heights General Hospital for 13 years, the Annunciation School board and a variety of other coalitions and associations. In 1989, Tony, Nadine, and their youngest daughter moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he continued his career with Bio-Recovery Systems until retiring again in 1993 or at least attempting to retire.

After returning to Albuquerque in 1994, Tony worked at Empire Accounting, where he joined one of his daughters, and did bookkeeping a few hours each week. He also dedicated time volunteering with Meals on Wheels, where he enjoyed coordinating drivers and chatting with staff.

Tony was known for his punctuality, often waiting in the car while his house full of daughters finished getting ready. He baked the world's best chocolate chip cookies and many other family favorite dishes, was a voracious reader, and maintained a tidy financial ledger until his passing. He never failed to stay deeply involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren, requesting details on all of life's happenings, big or small. After Nadine's passing, Tony cherished Saturday evenings spent attending church and enjoying adventurous dinners with his son-in-law and grandson.

Tony is survived by his sister, Gloria Speed of Maryland, his rescue dog Mollie, and his four daughters: Laurenn Bertoglio of Connecticut, Susan Bertoglio-Rivas of New Mexico, Linda Gonzales of New Mexico, and Theresa Baldwin of North Carolina. He was a proud grandfather to ten, great-grandfather to three and step great-grandfather to four.

Tony and Nadine's relationship was a testament to the beauty of lifelong devotion and they are deeply missed. The family takes comfort in knowing that they are together again.

A rosary service in Tony's memory was held on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. followed by mass at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish, located at 2621 Vermont St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Family and friends were invited to celebrate his remarkable life.