Antone John (Tony) Elegante

Taylorsville Utah. Our loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully in his home on January 7, 2018. Tony was born to Joe and Bertha Elegante on May 12, 1925, in Peerless, UT. He met his sweetheart Virginia Berensen in High School. On the first day of school he saw Virginia and walked up and put his arms around her and she slapped him. It didn't discourage him and they were married on September 25, 1944. Sweethearts to the end, they were sealed together as an eternal family in the Manti Temple on December 20, 1958. She passed away on 4 May 2009 and he finally got his wish to be with her again. Tony joined the Marine Corps prior to finishing high school and when home on leave married Virginia. He served in Pearl Harbor Hawaii near the end of world war II where he was an airplane mechanic. Tony was skilled with mechanical equipment working in the shop for coal mines and eventually joined Gardner-Denver Co selling mining equipment. After raising their family, he held several sales management positions and he and Virginia moved to several different areas of western US then returned home to Salt Lake to once more be with family. Tony was a very good athlete playing basketball in high school, in the Marine Corps and as a freshman for Montana State in Missoula. He was as avid LA Dodger fan and was never known to be timid or shy particularly when attending ball games and supporting his children. He even managed to get a foul called on him as a fan at a church basketball game. He was loved by all and made everyone feel a special part of his life. Besides his family, his passion was fly-fishing. He left many fond memories of fishing trips with his children, grandchildren and many others that knew him, passing on his love for fishing, skills in tying flies "that would catch fish not fisherman" and the love of the outdoors. He could repair or build anything and taught these skills and the need to both work hard and play hard to his family. Preceded in death by his wife Virginia; parents Joe and Bertha; infant son Paul J.; son- in-law J. Lowell Tye; and his brother Joe. Survived by son Tony (Penny); son Tom (Julie); daughter Zella Hicks (Joe); son Joe (Joyce); daughter Ann Tye (Rod); 26 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 13th, 12:00 noon at the LDS Chapel, 895 West 4800 South, Taylorsville, UT, where a viewing will be held prior to the service from 11-11:45 a.m. Interment will be held at the Taylorsville Cemetery. A special thanks to Jamie and Max from Harmony Home Health Hospice and all those who loved and cared for Tony. Place of Birth:Peerless, UtahPlace of Death:Taylorsville, Utah