James Anthony Aurelio

Dr. James Anthony "Tony" Aurelio, a pillar of strength and generosity, passed away on September 2, 2024, at the age of 80 after a brave battle with Interstitial Lung Disease. Tony was born on November 23, 1943, in Chicago, IL, to Louis and Anne Aurelio. He was the fourth of five children, with three sisters – Lois, Carol, and Annie – and one brother, Gerald. Tony fulfilled many roles throughout his life: son, brother, husband, father, grandfather (or Papa as his grandchildren lovingly called him), Army Captain, Dentist, Endodontist, and a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus.
Tony's life was full of service, love, and family. He married the love of his life, Arlene, in 1968. Together, they raised four children - Christine, Louis, Julie, and Suzanne - and instilled in them Catholic values, love of family and service to others.
Tony received his undergraduate degree from St. Joseph's College in Indiana and his graduate degree from Loyola University Chicago's School of Dentistry. After graduating from dental school, he selflessly enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as a Captain and a dentist for the 101st Airborne Division at the front lines in the Vietnam War. He humbly never wanted acknowledgement for his service until later in life when he needed the assistance of the VA for his health issues due to exposure that he endured during his military service.
After returning home from Vietnam, Tony received a specialty degree in Endodontics from Marquette University, moved to Fort Myers, FL, and started his own endodontic practice.
Tony's passions included golf, travel, and Florida Gator sports. A single digit handicap for nearly his entire life, Tony played collegiate golf, won a club championship, and had 9 holes-in-one. He enjoyed traveling with his family to such diverse locations as Yellowstone National Park, Italy, and the Caribbean. After moving to Florida, Tony became a part-time faculty member at the University of Florida's School of Dentistry, where he and the rest of his family became avid Gator football fans and season ticket holders.
Tony will be remembered by those who knew him best for the generous way that he and Arlene opened their homes to all, hosting delicious dinners filled with Tony's amazing homemade pizza and hilarious stories. Tony was a great chef and an even better host who could fill an evening with stories of colorful relatives, growing up in Chicago, and other adventures.
He is survived by his wife Arlene Aurelio, Christine and Cory Brockett, Louis and Erin Aurelio and their sons Nathan and Matthew, Julie Aurelio and her son Rylin and daughter Aniya, Suzanne and Justin Purcell and their daughter Charlie and baby boy Purcell (due in October), his sister Annie Bledsoe and brother-in-law Thomas Bledsoe, and his sister-in-law Esther Thomas.
A Memorial Service for Tony will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church (900 W Midway Boulevard, Broomfield, CO 80020). The Rosary will start at 10:30am MT, followed by Eulogy and Mass at 10:45am MT. A reception at the Church will follow the Mass.
Please feel free to share any memories or pictures of Tony in the Tribute Wall below.
In his memory, Tony's family suggests that you share a meal with family and friends (his preference would be homemade pizza) and enjoy the time together with laughter and joy.
In lieu of flowers, Tony's family requests that you donate in his name to The Fisher House Foundation (https://fisherhouse.org/) or to a local Fisher House near you. The Fisher House Foundation provides military families with housing close to a loved one in the hospital for an illness, disease, or injury as well as scholarships for active military and veterans, their spouses, and their children.