Anthony Charles Batzel

Anthony Charles Batzel aka "Santa Tony", 75 of Limerick, PA, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Jeanes/Fox Chase Cancer Center on Sunday, October 20, 2024, after a hard fought 9 year battle with 3 different cancers.
Born in Phoenixville, PA on March 28, 1949, the son of Viola (Lombardi) and Donald Batzel, he is survived by his children, Dawn (Orrin) Batzel-Knapp, Brittney (Charles) Wisler, Kyle (Lauren) Batzel, 5 grandchildren, Charlley Labik, Quinton and Nathan Wisler, Kailey and A.J. Batzel, one great grandchild on the way in February, 2025, his companion of 16 years, Rita Tarmin and his former wife, Sheila (Barnes) Batzel, a brother Donald (Trudy) Batzel and a sister, Patricia (Patty) Alexander, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. Tony was preceded in death by a younger brother, Frank Batzel.
Tony graduated in the top 25% of his class from Phoenixville High School and North Montco Technical School where he took up carpentry. He was a member the of high school football team. After graduation, he worked for Phoenixville Steel for 10 years, where he served as Union Representative and was a bartender at the former Westover Country Club in Jeffersonville for many years on weekends. After the close of the steel plant Tony worked building houses in the Royersford, Limerick areas and at Wildwood Crest, NJ. In 1981, he built the family home.
He was an active member for many years of the Royersford Fire House, served as Treasurer and began playing "Santa" at "Breakfast with Santa" as an annual fundraiser for the firehouse and rode the fire truck around Royersford each year for Christmas. Later, Rita joined him as "Mrs. Claus" and for 10 years they did "Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus" at the firehouse. Together they also appeared at numerous restaurants, family events, parties, and a local elementary school where every year they climbed on the roof and greeted the children getting off their buses.
Tony loved spending time with his family and was a die-hard EAGLES and Phillies fan but his favorite past time since retiring has been Texas Hold 'Em and the slot machines at the casino. He enjoyed playing in tournaments, and was a part-time director for Riverchasers Poker Club where he ran tournaments at Creekside Sports Bar in Limerick on Thursday nights. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Phoenixville Cancer Center by sending checks payable to Phoenixville Hospital Foundation, 140 Nutt Road, Phoenixville PA 19460. Please include a note that it is for the cancer center in Memory of Anthony Batzel.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Fairview Village Church, 3044 W. Germantown Pike, Eagleville, PA 19403 on Saturday, November 9. Service will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Please feel free to wear something red or green and white or even an ugly Christmas Sweater, an EAGLES or PHILLIES Jersey. Interment will be held privately by the family at a later date.