Anthony “Tony” Inzana, loving Father, Dad and “Papa,” passed away peacefully on September 29, 2018 at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson, CA. He was 96 years old.
He was the beloved husband to LaVerne of Hughson and step-father to her three children, Kathy, Bill and Lori Berger and one grandson, Roy Berger. Tony is survived by his five children, Diane (Doug) Nagy, Tony (Joye) Inzana, Tim (Rene) Inzana, Tamara (Dean) Reich, and Tina (Kevin) Lorch; three brothers, Ernest, Ronald and Lugene; 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by both his parents; his first wife, Nellie Mae; his sister, Joyce; two brothers, Francis and Pete; and an infant daughter, Tracy.
Tony was born on June 20, 1922 in Brockway, PA to Pete and Lena Inzana. He graduated from high school in 1940 and enlisted in the Army in 1942. He remained on active duty through May 1949, attaining the rank of Captain. He transferred to the reserves and was released from duty in 1959. While in the reserves, he attended college and graduated from Missouri State University in 1954 with dual degrees in Biology and P.E. He coached football and basketball at Sarcoxie High School for four years before moving with his first love, Nell, and their young family. They were married for 64 years before her passing in 2009. He was a teacher and school administrator for 26 years before retiring in 1982.
Tony was very active in the communities he lived in. He was an avid member of Rotary Club, Boy Scouts and American Legion. He enjoyed all kinds of sports. He especially loved fishing at Lake McSwain for trout.
Tony felt that traveling was a great educational tool and took his family to practically every state in the country by auto, RV’s and air. They became very knowledgeable about their country and he was proud about that.
Tony spent the last 8 years at Samaritan Village in Hughson where he met and has many friends who were very dear to him. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 12, at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock. A private interment will follow at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Tony at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, at Samaritan Village, 7700 Fox Rd, Hughson, CA 95326.
