Antonio "Tony" Passarelli

Antonio Passarelli was born May 16, 1937 in Alfedena, Italy and he died peacefully in his sleep on October 26, 2025 in his own home. He emigrated with his family in 1957 and settled in Milwaukee where he became a US citizen in l965.

Tony was a remarkable man who was deeply committed to education, and was driven to work hard to achieve his goals and purpose. His potential was always above ordinary. He loved his family unconditionally. His Italian culture and heritage was at his core, and the strength and values he learned in the mountain village where he grew up always guided him.

Tony had exceptional physical strength and drive, yet he was a gentle and thoughtful man. He was wise, a deep thinker, and was deeply spiritual. His life inspired others.

Despite his language barrier, in l961 he managed to attend Marquette University, and by 1968 he had earned a BS in journalism and a MS in Political Science. In 1969 he attended the University of Notre Dame and in 1974 he earned a PhD in political science. From there he was employed as an Assistant Professor at Anderson University in Indiana, and with the American International Academy where he taught summer courses on German politics in Munich, Germany, and Italian politics in Rome. He was later employed as an associate researcher at UWM, serving also as a featured lecturer at national conferences and universities. He had a working knowledge of Italian, French, and Spanish languages, and traveled extensively. In 1999 he retired from GE Medical Systems.

In 1962 while he as a student at Marquette University , he met his future wife Carole. She was also a student attending the nearby Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing. They married in 1966 and had two children: Marc Christian and Marie Louise. To his great joy he became a grandfather to beautiful Ava Grace.

The next chapter of his life began when he moved his family to a 100 year old farmhouse and property in Franklin... and began a decades long restoration and building project. Remarkably he succeeded in building a three story addition to the house using all recycled material that he scavenged and repurposed. The material came from homes and buildings that were being torn down to make way for an expressway. He used wood, doors, windows, Lannon stones and bricks to create ornate woodwork and moldings. He re-cut stones for the house siding, for landscaping, and to pave the driveway and paths. He restored the barns and old farm sheds. With his consuming determination and perseverance he did all the work himself and produced a work of art!

In 2015 Tony was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and the gradual inevitable progression advanced to end stage. His gentleness and kindness remained to bless us all.

We are grateful for his extraordinary life, and the assurance that he is now resting in the arms of his Savior. Matthew 25:21 "Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord."

In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Tony's memory may be made to St. Martin of Tours Catholic church, or the Alzheimer's Association, or Milwaukee Rescue Mission, or The Salvation Army. Donations to fill food pantries would be meaningful.

Visitation at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 7963 S. 116th St., Franklin, on Saturday, November 8 from 12:15 - 1:15 PM. Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 PM.