Antonio “Tony” Apicella, 75, of Tiffin, died at 1:20pm Monday, January 29, 2007 at his home after a year-long courageous battle with cancer.
MR. Apicella was born on March 3, 1931, in San Bartolomeo en Galdo, Italy, to Nicholas and Maria Gracia (Circelli). Tony immigrated to the United States in 1947. He worked as a glass cutter at Tiffin Glass and later employed by Whirlpool Corporation in Clyde. Tony served in the US Army Engineers from 1951 through 1954, fought in the Korean War and obtained the rank of Corporal. He was awarded a Korean Combat Medal, Battle Stars UN Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and US Service Ribbon. Upon return from service, Tony gained American citizenship in 1954 and married Mary Lou Breidenbach on June 16, 1956 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tiffin. He was again employed by Whirlpool Corporation where he retired after 39 years. Concurrently, Tony worked as a Nurse for Tiffin State Hospital for 15 years. In retirement, Tony also worked for Wal-Mart in Tiffin.
Tony was an avid golfer, bowler, a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a very active member of VFW Post #3343 in Clyde, Ohio serving three terms as Post Commander 1996-1997, and 2001-2003, then served as 9th District Commander of Ohio from 2003-2004. At the time of his death, Tony had been serving as a Trustee 1st-Year and Chairman of the Americanism, POW*MIA, and Youth and Safety Committees.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Dawn (Skip) Silvestrini of Duluth, Minnesota, and Kimberly Apicella & Jimmy Whitecotton of St. Louis, Missouri; two sons, Colonel Eugene (Valerie Fox) Apicella of Valley Center, California, and David (Janet Wise) Apicella of Tiffin; and two grandchildren, Michael and Nicole Silvestrini of Duluth, Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his parents, both of Tiffin.
A Celebration of Life service will be officiated by Rev. Frank Murd at St. Mary Catholic Church in Tiffin on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 11am. A Memorial Ceremony will be held at 4pm Saturday at the VFW Post #3343, 847 West Maple Street, Clyde, Ohio. Visitation with Tony’s family will be available after each memorial.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice; Financial Aid for Cancer Treatment (F.A.C.T.); St. Mary’s Catholic Church; VFW Cancer Aid and Research; VFW Robert Combs & James Comedy Cancer Research, VFW National Home for Children; or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Donations to the VFW charities may be made via the Quartermaster at the above address.