Antonio Francesco Colucci

Tony grew up in very hard times. He was born in the same year as the disastrous stock market crash which preceded the Great Depression and World War II. The family moved to Naples area shortly after he was born. Unfortunately, Naples, Italy was the target of many air raids during the war. The family had to run for shelter in underground tunnels when the warning sirens sounded. His town of Bagnoli was especially targeted since a large steel factory was located there. During the war, Hitler, accompanied by Mussolini, visited Naples and paraded with a large group of Nazi soldiers through Piazza Plescebito. Tony, who was only 9 at the time saw the two dictators in person. At the age of 14, he started working part time to supplement the family income One of these jobs was at the American Red cross where he worked as a waiter for the injured American soldiers and as a clerk at the information desk. After the war he worked at a variety of jobs including as a cook , a clerk in the post office, kitchen manager of a resort and as a chauffeur in Naples. He also worked at the racetrack in Naples where he assisted in training race horses. As a youth, he acquired a love for the countryside and raising animals while visiting his grandfather's farm. By the time he was twenty he had lost both parents. Life was difficult after the war and his dream was to come to America. With the help of his sister Maria, who was already a resident of the US, he was able to immigrate under the US Refugee Relief Act. After 7 years of waiting, he was granted a visa and arrived in Visalia in April 1956. Shortly after, he married the love of his life, Rose, at St. Mary's Church and worked with his father in law for a short time and then later acquired a job at Knudsen's Creamery. The couple had 4 children: Gloria, Linda, Perry and Ralph. Perry passed away at age 5. Tony loved living in the country and farming. For several years he participated in the Visalia Moose Rodeo Parade and won first place in 1962. After 27 years, he retired from the creamery and became a vendor at the Farmer's Market. He loved working in his vegetable garden and sharing his produce. He continued with the Farmer's Market until 2020 when the pandemic struck but still spent some time in his garden until just a month before he left this world. In lieu of flowers, an offering may be made to Bethlehem Center or Good Shepherd Parish or mass remembrances. Visitation will be held 4:00 PM Sunday, November 19th, 2023 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Rosary will follow at 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial services will be held 10:30 AM Monday, November 20th, 2023 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 608 N. Church Street, Visalia. Graveside services will be held 12:00 PM Monday, November 20th, 2023 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Antonio Francesco Colucci

March 16, 1929 - November 4, 2023