Our oldest son

It was 1977 when I married Nancy and took responsibility of raising her children Tony(7)and Tina(6). Tony was a challenge so we butted heads often. He had to do things his way and would not listen to reason most of the time. I thought, well, I was like that sometimes too. Tony loved sports, especially football and quickly fell in love with the Dallas Cowboys. His all time favorite was Emmett Smith. Tony wear the number 80 all through Pop Warner and high school football. He was a tough competitor playing offense and defense in many games. After high school, Tony tried to get on the Phoenix Fire Department, but no luck. He took a job at a small family owned production company and met his future wife Gail. They got married in our backyard in 1999. A few years later in 2004, they adopted and baby daughter and named her Nicole. All was well except Tony's beer drinking habit. We all warned him that excess would cause him a lot of problems, but Tony did not listen. Over the following years, his health started deteriorating. Tony passed away Sunday the 22nd at 11:02AM after fighting a hard battle that was staked against him. It is said, "Children are not suppose to die before their parents". I never realized how true that is. Our hearts are broke, but his humor and joking will live on in our memories forever. Tony loved to joke around with you. He made me laugh and proud of him for his love for his daughter and ever faithful wife. They made him a man, father and husband. Rest in peace son...I love you deeply... sleep now... you are in good company with Uncle John and Charlie. I'll be there later and we'll play catch.