TONY BELLSON

Tony Bellson Tony Bellson, 85, lost his courageous battle with cancer on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Barrington, Ill. He was born in Moline, Ill. to the late Carmen and Louis Bellson on May 7, 1926. The love of music and entertainment was in the Bellson blood. The family music store was a fixture in Moline for many years and Tony helped out around the store with his brothers and sisters, and initially took up the guitar before finding his passion on the drums. He was a renowned musician who played all over the country at major venues until settling down in Chicago, where he played at the top clubs including many years at the O'Hare Gaslight Club. He was a veteran of the Navy and served on a PT Boat in the South Pacific during World War II. Tony was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, who lost her battle with cancer in 2002. He is survived by his sister, Josephine; his brother, Henry; his sons, Tony Jr. and Lou and wife, Sonya and his daughters, Cynthia, Susan and Candy; his grandchildren, Michael, Heather, Angie, Meredith, Dani, AJ, Taylor, Hayden and Fayth; and his great-grandchildren, Ian, Owen and Bella. Extended family includes nieces, nephews and many longtime friends in the Quad cities. All of the family is thankful to Lou and especially, Sonya Bellson, who were his caregivers during the last few years of his life. Blessed are the caregivers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in memory of Tony to the Prostate Cancer Foundation at www.pcf.org. There is a memorial page set up in his name.