Just wanted to say how sorry I am about Tony. Even though I was just a band person he always went out of his way to say hi to me.

I am still processing that Tony is gone. We've been friends since the third grade when were nine and used to get in so much trouble. I remember one of our fathers referred to us as a pair of street urchins. Although after graduation we only stayed in touch at our reunions, that all changed about 20 years ago with the advent of email. I have been in almost constant touch with Tony and Russ Isaacson sending each other jokes or having lively political discussions. Tony and I also enjoyed discussing our extensive international travels, especially to countries we had both visted. Donna and I send our hearfelt condolences to Karin and Tony's children. To Tony, walk with god my friend and enjoy the many new friends you will be meeting.

Such a dream of a young man! Such a Gentleman he grew to be. And Oh, That Smile! Sending condolences and Love to All.

What a shock to hear of Tony's passing. I knew Tony and considered him a friend (as we all did) from our days at Wilmot Junior High, DHS and beyond. I wrestled my freshman year and remember competing against Tony. Never could beat him in practice. I reconnected with Tony when he lived in Champaign while working as a sales rep for the Levi Strauss company. We kept in touch through email after he moved away. I always looked forward to receiving his emails. He was a great source of humor. To a life well-lived, albeit not long enough! Goodbye my friend.

To my friend, Tony. (Please click on image.)

A very significant light has left this world. Tony, you were the embodiment of a person that loved life and brought that love to all who knew you. Your constant search for friends to connect with and your way of making everyone feel special was a gift not to be rivaled. You, my dear friend, you leave a litany of memories to fill the empty space in the hearts of all that knew you. You will be sorely missed and may you be in peace. To all of his family and the many friends he left behind, how fortunate to have been touched by Tony.

Tony was always a likeable classmate at Wilmot Jr. High and Deerfield High School. I always enjoyed Tony's friendship. He was always easy to get along with. He was a great wrestler for Deerfield. He supported all the sports teams and was a frequent visitor to Harry's Grill in Deerfield. I enjoyed you during our time together, and you will be missed by family and friends. God bless, Rest In Peace, and see you in the next world.

Tony Tempesta you were one of the coolest guys in high school. The thing I remember most about you was your million dollar smile. You were always smiling and were always in a great mood. You'll be missed by many who love you Tony. When you get up there, say hello to John Aiston, Chuck Eddy and Mike Cloud. Tell Cloud he still owes me five bucks. See you down the road, buddy.

Tony and I "knew" of each other in high school. I was pretty much a loner then and did not participate in organized school activities. But he was always friendly when passing in the halls. Much later in life, he contacted me several times about the DHS reunions. He was relentless in his effort to get me to attend. His phone calls turned into lengthy conversations. I will miss that. His sense of humor was a bit on the warped side, mine was and is extremely macabre. We exchanged many an insult and barb. Always felt good after talking with Tony. We made each other laugh and it erased any and all daily frustrations. There were many times I considered him a pain in the ass, but his intentions were always honorable and without malice. Not sure we ever became friends, but it was an honor to know him. My heart goes out to his family. He will be sincerely missed by all that knew and loved him. Myself included.

While Tony and I knew each other in high school, you would not call us friends. My best friends, Jay Brown and Willy Clayton, were wrestlers as was Tony. So I knew a lot of the wrestlers, but Tony and I just did not travel in the same circles. I got to know and respect him more as he worked so hard on the reunions. What enthusiasm. At the 50th, I am pretty sure, the wrestlers were going to get together at Mr. Halford's house. Tom Halford was so, so revered by the wrestlers! It was as if he coached them to be young men, not just wrestlers for DHS. And they loved him for it. I wrestled for about 20 minutes when we were freshman and maybe 25 minutes as a sophomore.  Not literally, but two very short stints. So, at the reunion, when one all-class event was ending, and the wrestlers were going to leave for coach's home, some of the wrestlers, whom I knew, invited me to come along. I kinda demurred, never having been on the varsity, and not having enjoyed the tutelage of Tom Halford. I said, "Okay, maybe." And Tony said emphatically "No! You're coming!" It was very kind of him to tell me, in that way, that I was accepted in and part of the "fraternity." So, yes, I went and I got to observe this mutually respectful bond between the teammates and their coach. I was lucky enough to take a lot of pictures, portraits really, of some of the guys. Coach Halford was not in good shape, I would guess in an early stage of Alzheimer's. I did take some head-and-shoulders candid shots of Coach Halford. And I e-mailed photos to the guys.  Probably the last mementos of a man they all loved. My honor to be invited and to make a contribution. I went only at Tony’s insistence. Tony could make a man feel good and valued. His enthusiasm and joie de vivre will be missed by all of us. Kurt  

Too young. Just too darn young. Rest in peace, Tony. You were always a leader and role model among us. Condolences to the family. You will be remembered.

This video is a collection of online tributes from friends and family sharing how much Tony meant to them.   https://youtu.be/5BkbhS8x-hM   Karin, Sean, Michael, Nicole, Chris, Charlie & Teddi

Such sad news to hear of Tony's passing. I would call Tony a life long friend, I'm sure all who read this feel the same. Tony was always kind to all. He will be missed. God bless Tony's family.

Tony was a treasured classmate every day all four years in Mr. Chamberlain's "session" (homeroom) uniquely situated off the beaten path in the industrial arts area. He was at the center of so many of the fun interactions and conversations that went on daily; and for all practical purposes, he was our leader by virtue of his magnetic personality and natural friendliness, open-mindedness and tolerance, and affiliative sense of humor, among his many admirable qualities that never abated. Without his steady presence we definitely would not have been the same cohesive group that we remained throughout our high school years. It is not surprising that in the ensuing years he would continue taking a lead role in class reunions; most recently the big 50-year event (the subject of this website), for which he served as co-organizer and emcee.   In addition, I'm certain that Tony wouldn't mind my mentioning that he was a model of tenaciousness and determination in his varsity wrestling career, as he rose to become one of the top competitors in the state at his weight class. And if that weren't enough, he had the coolest name in the school! As well as the charisma and dynamism to back it up. He will be terribly missed by his adoring family and by all who had the privilege of knowing him.