Anthony J. “Tony” Clesi, 96, of Oil City, died early Saturday morning, February 7, 2015 at J.F.K. Medical Center in Atlantis, Florida, near where he and his wife were spending the winter months.
He was born in Oil City on July 21, 1918 to the late Frank and Nina (Rinella) Clesi.
Tony attended Cranberry High School before serving honorably in the U.S. Army from 1942 through 1946, during the height of World War II.
He worked as a truck driver until he was able to purchase his own truck, and he eventually started his own trucking business known as A.J. Clesi Trucking. He enjoyed working on his trucks as much or maybe more than driving them. He and his company served Oil City for many years spreading salt and cinders during stormy winter days. He retired in 1984.
He was a “man’s man,” who loved all sports, especially baseball and golf. Tony was an avid Pirates fan who followed them faithfully through both the good and the lean years. He also enjoyed Steelers football.
Mr. Clesi was a member of many social clubs in Oil City, such as the Moose, Eagles, and the Elks. He had many friends, acquaintances, and golfing buddies.
Tony and his second wife, Dorothy, enjoyed traveling together and spent many winters at their Florida home.
He was a member of St. Stephen Church in Oil City.
He married Elizabeth Capraro on October 8, 1960; she preceded him in death on February 3, 1982. He then married the former Dorothy W. “Dodie” Ochs on Sept. 29, 1995, and she survives.
Also surviving is a step-daughter, Elana Phillips of Erie, and Elana’s daughter, Terra Wackett; his sister, Anne Cangemi of Titusville; four nephews, Dr. Sam Shialabba, Jr. and his wife Peggy of Oil City, Frank Shialabba and wife Marlene of Monaca, Lt. Paul Ochs of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and David Ochs of Jamestown, PA; 3 great-nieces: Megan Shialabba, Dr. Amy Ellington and husband Jason, and Jennifer Emeloff and husband Kris; a great-nephew, Matthew Shialabba and his fiancé Kori Utter; and one great-great-niece, Lorelai Ellington.
In addition to his parents and his first wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Philip Clesi; three sisters: Rose M. Clesi, Josephine Cancilla and her husband Phillip, and Mary Shialabba and her husband, Dr. Sam Shialabba, Sr.; and his brother-in-law, Sam Cangemi.
Friends will be received Friday (Feb. 13th) from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, Inc., 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church, 21 State St. in Oil City, with the Rev. Matthew Ruyechan presiding.
Entombment will follow in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry where full military honors will be accorded by the VETS Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Venango County Humane Society, P.O. Box 413, Seneca, PA 16346; the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; or the Second Century Fund at St. Stephen Church, c/o Parish Office, 210 Reed St. Oil City, PA 16301.
To express condolences to the family online, please visit www.hilebest.com.
