Antonio S. "Tony" Solazzo Sr.

Solazzo, Sr. Antonio S. "Tony" Solazzo, Sr., age 73, died peacefully on Thursday, February 13, 2014, at Riverside Methodist Hospital with his loving family at his side. Tony was born in Bisaccia, Italy on September 21, 1940, the son of Giuseppe and Incoronata (Gallicchio) Solazzo. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Vito. Tony is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Irene; children, Tina, Joe and Tony Jr. (Lisa) Solazzo; grandsons, Michael and Gino; brothers, Michele (Linda) and Natalino (Emma); brothers-in-law, Mario (Phyllis) Ventresca, Giovanni (Bambina) Ventresca, Aldo (Maria) Ventresca and Francesco Ventresca; many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Tony immigrated to the U.S. arriving in New Jersey in 1964 on a "skilled work Visa" later moving to Columbus. After the birth of their three children, he, along with his wife, began the Solazzo Marble and Granite Monument Company, which later became Solazzo Marble and Granite Imports. He was a longtime active member of St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church and sponsored the annual St. Anthony of Padua Feast. Aside to the dedication to his work, he enjoyed impromptu outings with his grandsons whom he adored and attending their sporting events. In addition, he also enjoyed tending to his fig trees, cooking, lunch with his friends and travels to Italy. He was also a member of the Guild Athletic Club and the S.F.I. Tony's family will receive friends on Sunday, February 16, 2014 from 1-4 and 6-8 p.m., at THE JOHN QUINT TREBONI FUNERAL HOME, 1177 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus, with the GAC Service at 7:30 p.m., and a Prayer Service at 7:45 p.m. Friends are asked to gather at St. John the Baptist Church, 720 Hamlet Street (Italian Village) on Monday, February 17, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. for his funeral Mass with the Reverend Father William A. Metzger as Celebrant and Reverend Father Antonio Carvalho and Reverend Father Michael Watson as Concelebrants. Entombment to follow in the Solazzo Family Mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery, Lewis Center. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to Dr. John Castor and Dr. Elizabeth Rave along with the wonderful staff at Riverside Methodist Hospital's Emergency Department and the Radiology/Ultrasound departments. Condolences may be sent via www.johnquint.com.