Anthony Lawrence "Tony" Van Rees

Anthony (Tony) Lawrence Van Rees, husband, father, Chef, and man of a thousand smiles passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015 at the age of 47. Born December 10, 1967 in Montebello, California to Rosalie and Carroll Van Rees, Tony spent his childhood years in Sacramento and New Jersey with his brother John, eventually moving back to Sacramento to stay in 1980. Tony attended Rio Americano High School and the University of California Santa Barbara, graduating with a degree in Sociology in 1991. It was during this time that his true passion, cooking, began to coalesce through several culinary jobs. Upon graduation from UCSB, Tony moved to San Francisco and entered the renowned California Culinary Academy where he was formally trained in the classical culinary arts. Working at some of the top restaurants in the Bay Area, Tony challenged paradigms and pushed the boundaries of every culinary experience possible, specializing in training as a Pastry Chef. Tony met his wife, Amy Taylor, in 1993, married in 1995, and moved to Seattle to start Little Rae's Bakery: a wholesale distribution company serving restaurants, coffee shops, hotels and businesses throughout the Puget Sound. Tony's innovative recipes and an unmatched work ethic grew the business until 2000 when he sold the bakery and returned to Sacramento. In 2002, Tony, along with lifelong friend Erik Finnerty, launched FatCat Scones, now FatCat Bakery, an all natural wholesale artisan bakery serving retail businesses, hotels, resorts and school districts nationwide. To everyone who knew him, Tony was the most giving, loving, cheerful, brilliant friend and mentor possible. He was a renowned and influential instructor at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Sacramento, a dedicated Soccer Coach and Board Member with BAC Soccer Club, an ardent Swim Team and Water Polo supporter for his daughters' recreational, high school, and college teams, and a deeply loyal friend to everyone who knew him. It is difficult to say goodbye to such an incredible person - Tony inspired all who were lucky enough to cross his path, and his impact throughout Sacramento and beyond will continue to grow. He taught us that life is worth living as long as it is full of a loving family, a wide circle of meaningful friendships, constant laughter, and a true appreciation for fine food. Tony is survived by those that made him proudest in life, his true joys: wife and soul mate, Amy, and their daughters Lily (18) and Evan (15), his mother Rosalie, brother John, his large extended family, countless longtime friends, colleagues and peers. A Celebration of Life Service will commence on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 2:00pm at The Elks Tower Sacramento, 921 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 - all are invited. The family is very grateful for the numerous offers of help and condolences. In lieu of flowers and gifts, consider a donation to Lily and Evan's college fund that has been set up through Bank of America- CA Savings account number: 3250-6747-3685. Messages and condolences may be sent care of Tony Van Rees, 8130 Berry Avenue, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95828.