Antoine “ Little Tony” Esprit Accristo was born on January 7, 1931 in Grasse, France. He was the 6th child of Elvira Carelli and Teodoro Accristo who had 12 other children.
Tony is survived by Teresa, Josephine, Orlando, and Salvatore.
He was in the French Resistance during WWII. He was a scout for the allies. Little Tony came to America November 19, 1945 as a stowaway with Sgt. Nicholas Botera. Little Tony volunteered to serve in the US Air Force. He served in the Philipines and Korea. He was wounded in Kora and was service connected. He was a member of DAV and VFW.
Little Tony became an American citizen. He went to collage in engineering and worked as a draftsman. He had 5 children from his first marriage, Claire Benesh, Cynthia Gleeson, Marc Accristo, Anthony Accristo, and Leslie Vinson.
He met the love of his life Pat, they were married 42 years. Their son Nicholas lives in Helena. He had 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Tony and Pat built a successful business that they sold to move to Montana in 1991. He wrote a book about his life, “Little Tony”.
He loved Montana, hunting, fishing, gardening and wood working. He always extended his hand in friendship. His sense of humor and hospitality was infectious. Antoine volunteered over 5000 hours at the VA Ft. Harrison.
Antoine loved God, Pat, and his family. He will be buried with his French bible, a rosary, and an afghan that Pat made for him.
A memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2019 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave in Helena. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. A burial will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Montana State Veterans Cemetery. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Little Tony.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Jeri says
Repose en paix mon ami… Tony was such a kind man..It was an honor and privilege to know him and take care of him. I will miss our greetings to one another in French dialect and his great smile!
Respectfully,
“Sis”
Tom Juhl says
R.I.P. Tony you my friend were a gem to do work for. I will always remember your spaghetti sauce……….
Teddy J ACCRISTO says
R.I.P Tonton Esprit. We will miss you and never forget your kindness and generosity which made it possible for all of us to be what we are today.
Ta filla Claire marie says
Papa we never said goodbye when we talked we always said jusqu a la prochaine fois Gros bisous….
Mon coeur est brise
Bernard Accristo says
To Uncle Antoine ‘s (Esprit) family our most sincere condolences.
All the Guerin & Lucienne Accristo family is grateful for his help in the starting of our new life in this great Country!
May his Soul be in Heaven with Mom and Dad and all the departed Accristo’s family members!
May his family be blessed.
Chantal says
My deepest sympathy to the entire Accristo family for their loss. Our hearts are joined with yours in prayers during this time. Tonton Antoine was instrumental in our family coming to the USA—greatest country in the world, and for that I will ever be grateful. It wasn’t an easy task for him, I’m sure. His book—Little Tony is a nice add to his legacy, along with all the work that was done to connect some of the dots to our heritage. May God comfort you all during this time & bring you peace.
—Those we love can never be more than a thought away, for as long as there is a memory, they live in our hearts to stay—My sincere condolences to all of you. May God be with you all. Chantal
Biliotti rddy says
Mon cousin Teddy Accristo que je remercie de m avoir informé m a annoncé le décès de notre oncle d Amérique que je n ais eu “La chance ” que de rencontrer enfant à la grande réunion de famille à la seyne sur mer !!… et de discuter un jour durant 2 heures au téléphone …” ou il m à expliqué sa vision …. je lui rend hommage ici et bravo à son sens de la famille car je sais qu il a fait venir tous ses frères et recu ma mère Joséphine Accristo qui a eu sa chance avec lui pourtant … et qu il a assisté à tous les enterrements de ses frères et sœurs pouvant considérer qu il avait vraiment Le ” sens de la famille ” on ne peut que lui rendre hommage !!! Sur son fantastique livre ou on Le voit en photo lui qui quitta la france pour raison de guerre je revois toujours un peu les traits de ressemblance avec ma fille au même âge Comme quoi de loin ou de près on peut toujours avoir un sens de la famille bravo à lui qui a fait Le lien entre La france et les États Unis !! Et a créé une rue Accristo jusqu au fin fond du Montana proche d Helena un prénom qui m est cher !!… mes plus sincères condoléances à toute sa famille et que je ne connais helas pas … mais qui recevront ce modeste ” hommage ” !!!! Bien à eux : god bless you and America !! With france !…
Ariane J Accristo says
To my uncle esprit
Thank you for everything you have done for us,your departure as deeply sadden me..wish i could have seen you more often, rest in peace i will never forget you!❤
Didier accristo says
my deepest condolences you were a great uncle and you will be missed greatly I have some good memories when we came to do United States in 1969 and we stayed how’d you a house in New York rest in peace
Maggie Mccartney says
Tony was one of my favorite Veteran friends at the VA. He would stop up to say Hi, and often brought some fabulous smoked fish. Tony made me smile and feel good. I have a copy of his book and treasure it. Since I have been retired I haven’t seen Tony in quite awhile. I am sorry for his loss and know you all will grieve his warm, caring, vibrant personality. May God be with you and bring you comfort.
Carole Accristo says
May Gods truth and love be of great comfort to the whole family in this very sensitive and confusing time, a time of sadness for the loss of a great person here on earth, and a time of rejoicing in knowing we will someday see him again! So very grateful to him for the opportunity, through his generous and kind efforts, in getting my family here to this country, and feeling very blessed by his leaving behind a bit of himself through the writing of his autobiography.
Sarah Twm says
Tony was a close friend of my father’s and a part of our lives growing up on Priest Pass. I remember looking outside of our windows and seeing he, Pat and Nick’s home lit up and looking like a perfect little gingerbread house tucked into the mountain during the winter holidays. There were many times he would help plow our and other neighbors’ drives just because he could and loved to help. The first time I ever tried dandelion salad was at a dinner in their home. He could make weeds taste delicious..this is a good cook! =) He and dad would hunt, fish, ice fish, cook and smoke their own meats and we would be delighted when dad would bring these foods home. I’ve always loved hearing my dad’s stories of their times and some of their talks. A few years ago I received and read his book. What an amazing life and man! I am blessed that he was able to meet my husband and our girls a few years ago and that we happened to catch him at my parents’ on his latest birthday when I had called them. He was so fond of my dad and our family and I saw his love and humor come out again interacting with my daughters..what a blessing. <3 It is hard to express how much he was loved and how much he will be missed. Prayers for peace be with his family. <3
Kathy Stacey says
Pat and Family,
We so loved Tony. We remember how he made it a point to meet and greet all his neighbors even before the house was done. It was important to him to extend his hand in friendship. Yes we have wonderful memories to last a life time. God is so waiting for him with open arms. Priest pass will be lonely without him. I thank the good Lord for the last time we was him. It was with a smile and hug which I won’t forget. Pat we hope to do the same with you. Your kindness is the same. We offer our hand in friendship and love.
Take care of you and family,
Your friends up Priest Pass RD
Ron, Kathy, Jeff, and Jess Stacey
From the children of conception and the children of Pierrine and noel Tomasini our deepest condolences to our dearest uncle Esprit Accristo we will never forget you. a says
To our uncle esprit Accristo
Our deepest condolences.
We will never forget you!
Profound sympathy for all your family 🙏❤
Becky says
Antonio was hugely influential in my life. He would always tell the story of when we went ice fishing. I was the only one who caught a fish that day and he would laugh about how I cradled the fish like a baby and how he was impressed that I would always find a hole in the ice to fall into. I have always admired him. He meant more to me then I could ever express. My love and thoughts are with you all. I am so grateful to have had such a blessing in my life.
Terry Rose says
Last night I had a vivid dream about my former neighbor Tony; more than a dream. A clear memory of walking his property and him, believing I could learn to water-witch, holding two brass rods which he had broken off from an old clock in his garage. We walked and walked as I concentrated on holding the sticks in front of me properly, hoping that I would not trip over barren roots as we traipsed throughout the timber up the hill behind his property. I remember his smile as he watched the rods turn inward and cross over, seemingly on their own. He already knew the lay of the land and where the underground rivulets were flowing from MacDonald Pass, but would walk off course on purpose to truly test me. December 27, 1919, in a dream, three months after his death it was as if we were walking together. Again. Thanks Tony. Terry Rose, Your Student Water Witch. Rest in Peace, dear neighbor.