ANTHONY J. CONTRERA

Anthony J. Contrera passed away on October 21st, after 73 years of loving his family, serving his community, and making jokes we definitely can’t repeat.

Long before he was known to many as “Fuzz,” Tony was born in East Cleveland as the fifth child of Frances (Fede) and Joseph Contrera, proud Sicilian immigrants. Their other children – Augustine (who would go on to marry Rose), James (Beverly), Evelyn (Tony) and Frances (Victor) – were mostly grown when Tony, the baby of the family, arrived. So as a boy, Tony could often be found tagging along with his father to the race track or the famous Captain Frank’s. Though he was technically their uncle, and often their babysitter, Tony was like a brother to his nephews Ken, Joe and Wild Bill. They looked up to Tony as he graduated from Valley Forge High School, became a tool and die maker and raised his beloved doberman Lady. After years of tinkering with his purple ‘64 Dodge Dart, Tony channeled his love of automobiles into a career as a car salesman. He detested what he called the shady side of the industry and refused to rip people off. But relished a good negotiation.

That knack came in handy in 1990, when he kept returning to P.F. Flyers to ask out Maria Gareau. Every time she refused, Tony returned, until Maria agreed to go on one date. Before long, Tony was winning over her 7-year-old daughter, Shannon, with clothes, gifts and rides in

his ‘72 Chevy Nova. Thirty five years of partnership and family later, Maria is still certain that Tony is the best person she ever met.

After his retirement, Tony could have spent all his time with his other loves: his friends at the Parma Armory, his dogs Tux and Luca and his ‘03 Heritage Softail Harley-Davidson. Instead, he worked as a driver for a nonprofit, transporting individuals who were incarcerated or living in shelters to jobs around Cleveland. Even in his final days, he was taking their calls to celebrate their successes.

What mattered most to Tony was family: His many nieces and nephews, who demanded his eggplant parmesan at every holiday; his cousins in Montreal and Siculiana, Sicily, whom he traveled the world to meet; and most of all, his granddaughter Meelah. Meelah, the daughter of Shannon and her wife Kelsey Lopez, called Tony “Papa.” Tony called her “Meatball.” He got her her own motorcycle, of course.

As our family honors Tony’s wish to forgo a traditional memorial service, we invite you to celebrate his life by doing what Tony did: spoil your dogs, splurge on your hobbies, act with integrity, make your family’s recipes, and be there for the people you love.