Keri R. Tenza

Keri R. Tenza, 66, of Erie, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Sunday, March 23rd, 2025, after a ten-year battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia. He was born in Oil City, PA on January 5, 1959, a son of the late Raymond "Rummy" and Jean Hartman Tenza.
A graduate of Oil City High School, Keri earned an associate's degree in Diesel and Automotive Technology in Colorado. He worked as a distributor for Mac Tools and went on to work as a salesman and technician with Air Technologies. Keri was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and a former president of Trout Unlimited. An avid boater and hunter, Keri enjoyed camping with his family in Tionesta and Kinzua Dam and enjoyed all water sports. Keri was active in hockey having coached his children's travel hockey teams, refereeing, and playing in the local adult hockey league. He cycled for many years and enjoyed the sport of rock climbing with his cousins.
Having spent summers at his family's cottage at President, he met Rebecca who lived three doors down at her family's cottage. Their friendship during the summers led to their courtship and ultimately their marriage. President was and still is a place where Keri loved entertaining friends and family. Just this past summer, Keri did a three-hour river float with 25 of his family members and also played a game of wiffle ball that evening. The memories there are countless.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Rebecca Hibbard Tenza; his two children, Nicholas Tenza (Chantal) of Washington, PA and Rachael Tenza (partner Anthony) of Houston, PA; and one grandchild, Raegan Tenza.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 9367 Wattsburg Rd., from 12 p.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 1 p.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in Calvary Cemetery in Oil City.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Boniface Catholic Church, 9367 Wattsburg Rd., Erie, 16509 or the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, c/o Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E. Superior Street, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 or feinberg.northwestern.edu/giving (please include Keri's name in any memorial contributions).
Keri's family would like to thank the UPMC Family Hospice Team for the wonderful care they provided to Keri during his last months and the St. Boniface Eucharistic Ministry for the weekly visits to Keri and the many beautiful bonds formed. The family is truly appreciative to having had these services.
Please visit http://www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to leave a condolence on Keri's Tribute Page.