Tony Toccafondo, 76, passed away February 13, 2016 surrounded by loved ones at St. Peter’s Hospital.
Tony was born January 25, 1940 in San Severino Marche, Italy to Augusto and Benilde Toccafondo. Tony was the youngest of 9 children that include four brothers and four sisters. He grew up helping his family farm the land and raise livestock in a small mountain town in central Italy.
At seventeen, Tony left home to join the Carabinieri, the elite Italian government police force in Rome. In the Carabinieri, Tony was part of the motorcycle division responsible for escorting and protecting royalty and world leaders. During his time in Rome, Tony escorted the Pope and John F Kennedy.
After serving a few years in Rome, Tony was transferred to Naples. While working in Naples, he pulled over a young Helena native for a burned out headlight on her car. Hearing that she had been unable to get it fixed after multiple attempts, Tony took her to his personal mechanic for the proper repair. A relationship blossomed; they married and moved to Helena in February 1966. Together, they had two sons, John and Paul. Tony divorced and years later remarried, having a daughter, Maria.
Tony worked various jobs in Helena while he became accustomed to the culture and learned the language. Tony eventually started working at the Smelter in East Helena, where he served as the Union Chief Shop Steward for many years. Tony retired in 2000 after more than twenty-five years with the company.
Tony enjoyed life, but a few things in particular he loved doing most; dancing, bocce, riding his motorcycle, watching boxing, and enjoying coffee with friends. Tony’s real passion was his family, especially his children and grandchildren – he was always happiest spending time with them. Tony was able to fly back to Italy every few years to visit family. In 1978, he helped his sister and her family move from Italy to Helena. To ease their transition, Tony had a home ready for them with sheets on the beds and fully stocked cupboards and refrigerator. This is just one example of how amazing a person, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend Tony was. Tony was able to bring happiness and smiles to many people over the years through his generosity and humor.
Tony is survived by a brother, sister, two sons, one daughter, and four grandchildren.
Karlee and Dave Smith says
Toccafondo Family–
We were so shocked and saddened to see today’s paper. Tony was our neighbor when we lived on Boulder Ave for 20 years (next door to Shorty). Tony was always there, willing and able to help anyone who needed a hand. We have stopped to chat when we’ve seen him walking. In the neighborhood and he was always one who could brighten your days. Tony will be greatly missed! Please know we are thinking of all of you.
Peg Roddy says
I feel a great loss and sorrow at Tony’s passing, I will miss seeing him everyday on his walks, watching him trim that hedge to perfection and on that ladder trimming out those big trees. I have lived kitty corner from tony in forever and knew him before he joined out corner, always happy and smiling with a greeting or a joke. He was a friend to eveyone he knew and those he didn’t. A bright light has left us behind. Please accept my heartfelt sorrow for the family.
Rindi pocha says
The world lost a lot. They lost a proud, happy, entertaining man. He was very generous. He would be the first one the if I needed anything. I am deeply saddened and will be for a while. All of my love and prayers go out to his three children. I know they were the most important things in his life. Dancing being a close second. Much love.
Juli Tenneson says
I have only know Tony for about a year now, but as soon as you meet him you have been friends forever. I had the pleasure of sitting down with him a learning about his life (for a paper I was writing for school), he was friends with my grandparents and worked at Asarco with my grandpa. It was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. Tony was such a wonderful person with a genuine heart of gold. I am so sad that the world has lost such a beautiful soul!
michele faure says
John and Melissa,
I am so very sorry to hear about Tony. He was such a great guy, with a wonderful sense of humor, who made everyone around him smile and feel special. He always had a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed.
Rob Foster says
Toccafondo Family, I am so sorry for your loss. The 6th Ward will not be the same. And Tony, “requiescat in pace”.
Rocco Mongelli says
Toccafondo Family,
My heartfelt condolences to you and your families.
I met Antonio through Father Richard Francesco at Saint Marys church
Antonio was a wonderful person and he will be greatly missed.
May the Lord comfort you all and bring you Peace especially now during this tough time and with you always.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless
Joey & Tony Carter says
John, Lissa & all the Toccafondo family –
Our family has become part of your family and your dad, Tony, was the coolest, sweetest guy. He was just a big kid and that’s why our kids loved him so much! We will miss him – running into him around town or at the grocery store where he would tease the kids, or seeing him at John’s BBQs – listening to his jokes and stories and playing bocce!
Our prayers and our love is with all of you.
Tony, Joey, Deon & Bree Carter
Barb Robertson says
John and Paul,
I met your father very recently at a Community Center dance and told him you both had been students of mine (marketing and DECA) at Capital High School. Watching him that evening he looked like a man who loved life and had fun at whatever he did. My heart goes out to you in your loss.
Darlene Chamberlin says
Miss Maria,
I am so sad to read of your dads passing this morning. For years I would pass him on Lamborn on my way to work as he walked home with his coffee cup in hand, always with a wave and a smile on his face. He was such a part of the neighborhood. I remember well the day he and your mom showed up in class to deliver cupcakes on your birthday! Such an embarrassing and loving thing to do to a high schooler and a perfect way to show how much they love you! Know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike Cooney says
The Toccafondo family,
I had the privilege of getting to know Tony thourgh the many community events in which he was involved. What a true gentleman. He always had a kind word and a smile. You couldn’t walk away from any conversation with Tony without a happy feeling in your heart. He will be missed but in his own way, left a big mark on this community that he adopted.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Kelly Cresswell says
John, Melissa, and Family ~
I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Tony but have heard much about him. It is clear he was a very special person, important to so many. You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.
MaryAnn Ranger says
I met Tony and his wife many years ago when they came to Tony’s Lounge. I would go for long stretches of time without seeing Tony and he always remember you and catch up on your life. I will miss him and his smile. My prayers go out to his family.
Larry Ross says
I met Tony when I was in high School (we lived on Boulder Ave.). He would come over and visit with us, most of the visits were in dad’s garage just kicked back and chatting. He was always so nice, and fun to have a conversation with. Years would go by and when I would see Tony again, he would always have that engaging smile and greet me cheerfully calling me by name. He was a special man that is for sure. Although we were for the most part mere acquaintances, I will miss him.
Sharin Liedle says
This makes me so, so sad! He was a very good neighbor and friend; ALWAYS there for me whenever I needed anything. I will miss him so much. R.I.P. Tony.
My sincere condolences to Tony’s family
Sharin Liedle says
This makes me so, so sad! He was a very good neighbor and friend; ALWAYS there for me whenever I needed anything. I will miss him so much. R.I.P. Tony.
My sincere condolences to Tony’s family.
Ethel Anderson says
John, Lissa and all the Toccafondo family,
I only met your dad once but he seemed like a great guy. Joey and I were shopping in Safeway and he was pushing Bree and Deon around the store in a wheelchair like a kid himself. The kids all loved him. Especially my son-in-law Tony. My thoughts are with you. So sorry.
Dawn Mallard says
I am truly saddened by the news of Toni’s passing! He was a great neighbor, understanding & supportive fellow parent & a treasured friend! My love & prayers go out to all of his family & friends, I know he will be missed by many!
Mary Ann Duffy says
John & Paul – We are sorry to hear of your Fathers passing, I had the privilege of taking care of you sweet boys for a number of years so I got to Tony well. Two beautiful boys that I became very fond of. Tony was very proud of you. God bless you.
Cleo Schultz says
To John and family,
I was so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Butch and Cleo Schultz
JD "Rabbit" Sauter says
So sorry to hear he passed away. Shocked to hear it.
Rabbit
Salty Payne says
I met Tony at the Smelter in East Helena while I was the Human Resources Director. While he and I were on different sides concerning Union business, he was always the gentleman. He was very eloquent and presented his evidence well. He won more arguments than he lost and he never made you feel you lost anything, only that the right decision was made. I learned much from Tony that I carried with me from that time forward, and it served me well. If you ever met him you would never forget that smile of his. He will be missed, especially by me.
Jo Ann Jones says
Hanging around with Tony was like hanging around with the Pope. He seemed to know everyone and always had a kind word to say or a funny story to tell. In reading past tributes, it sounds like those lives he touch were richer for having known him. I agree. He was a great friend to me in a deep time of sorrow and for that reason he will never be forgotten in my heart. I’ll miss his generosity, our great talks, the long walks, his smile and his humor. The ‘hood will never be the same! My heart goes out to you dear Toccafondo family!
Mark Ryckman says
I had the privilege to work with Tony at the plant and the union hall. He was always strong in his conviction for “what’s right”. I enjoyed working with him though at times I felt more like an interpreter than co-worker! We had many laughs and many tears. He will be in my heart forever! Tony also worked a short time with my father at Mountain Bell, where I remember dad telling about this new kid from Italy that packed five sandwiches for lunch! RIP my friend!
Pam Brown says
Dearest Family ~
So sorry to hear about Tony’s passing. He was such a kind mean, always a smile and full of life.
Know that my Prayers are with you at this time.
God Bless You All,
Pam Brown
Helena, MT
Cindy (Randall) Backeberg says
John, Paul and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your Father. I did have the privilege of meeting him a few times and each time was more enjoyable than the previous. A loving and generous man who will be greatly missed. My heart and prayers are with you all.
Cindy (Randall) Backeberg
Kathleen and Reg Brewer says
We are very sorry Tony has gone on; we will certainly miss running into him whenever we came back to Montana the last several years. We have known him since the 60s…a great man. Out condolences to his family.
Reggie and Kathleen Brewer
Sherri zigs-Mosley says
Tony was an amazing man that you never forgot. I met him years ago (38) when he worked at the smelter around 1976. He was so instrumental in my life at that time, I asked him to be my son’s godfather – which he graciously accepted. John Daniel, or JD as we call him, never knew Tony but was amazed when he read his obituary. RIP Tony and condolences to the family here and in Italy!
Sherri Ohs-Mosley says
Sherri Ohs-Mosley
Tavoloni Pietro says
Le nostre più sentite condoglianze. Antonio quando era in italia a san severino Marche(serralta),veniva a trovarci con molto piacere.è stato un caro amico per mio padre. Ci mancherà molto! Un abbraccio grandissimo da pietro tavoloni e famiglia
John and Alice Hinshaw says
Tony was such a great part of our neighborhood. He always had a bit of humor and a friendly word for everyone! We have enjoyed knowing John and Maria, and they and their family are in our hearts today.
Joanie Werner Mathis says
The neighborhood will never be the same and his impeccable yard. I have known Tony for years and was his banker for 18 years. Then I started going to the Elks over two years ago to learn to dance. Tony was very patient and kind to me in teaching me to dance. He was everyone’s friend and had his own “Tony dance steps”! We will all miss this Italian!
Wayne and Jeannie Smith says
To The Toccafondo Family, so sorry for your loss. Wayne and I (Jeannie) Smith live up the street on Lamborn, we will miss him walking or riding his motorcycle by our house and giving our dogs a bisket. He was a very nice man and a Great dancer! We hope you are comforted with your memories of him.
Bonnie Zulauf says
Tom and Bonnie Zulauf
So sorry for your loss. Tony was a very caring, passionate, considerate and kind friend to know. He danced with us in Bozeman and Manhattan dances. We will miss his friendly smile and laugh. I loved to hear him talk about Italy and I asked so many questions to learn what it was like to be from there and the cultures. He loved his family. Our prayers are with your family.
Maria (sister, adopted) says
Caro zio, ti ricordiamo tutti con tanto affetto. Eri brillante e sorridevi alla vita, per questo lasci un gran vuoto, ma molti bei ricordi. Che la terra ti sia lieve.