Anthony Joseph Ponzio's Obituary
Anthony J. Ponzio of Escondido, CA passed away on October 27th, at the age of 95. Tony, as everybody called him, was born in Bryan, Texas on January 7th, 1926, to Paul and Minnie Ponzio.
Tony was preceded in death by his wife, and one true love, Vivian Venezia Ponzio, as well as his son Anthony J. Ponzio Jr. He is survived by his daughter Teresa McGoven, and her husband Charlie, son David Ponzio, and his wife Charlene, and son Philip Ponzio, and his wife Lesley. He had three grandchildren, Michael, Nathan and Molly, as well as two great-grandchildren, Addy and Oliver.
Tony grew up in Los Angeles, California, and established and enjoyed lifelong friendships with many of his friends and neighbors he grew up with, until the day he passed. One of his proudest moments was when he left his family home to serve his country in WWII as a Naval Seaman aboard the USS Phoenix from November 22, 1944 to January 11, 1946. In the service he was involved in many fire fights with Japanese Kamikaze’s in the Pacific Theatre. Amazingly, he could still recall many of those same battles up until his death.
Upon moving to Escondido in 1970, Tony became more than just a gentleman farmer, he became involved in many other activities in town, as well as making friends wherever he went. Tony retired in 1988 from Teledyne Aero-Cal, and enjoyed a full retirement of BBQ’s, Farming, Family Life, and supporting any gaming location he could.
Tony will always be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and Great grandfather, and a friend. He loved God, and the people of Resurrection Catholic Church, and will be buried next to Vivian at Oak Hill Cemetery in a private family graveside service.
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