Obituary
Born May 20, 1940 in Cleveland, Tony passed away peacefully on February 5, 2021, in Palm Coast, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Beatrice and was the proud father of Anthony Jr. and Michelle Ryan (Brent). He was a loving grandfather to Brady, McKenna, and Gianna Ryan. He is also survived by a brother, Sebastian “Butch” Russo (Jane), and a sister, Charlene Levkanich (Cy), as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Tony owned and operated Euclid Asphalt Paving Company for 35 years in Mentor, Ohio, prior to moving to Florida. He loved his adopted home of Flagler Beach, and the many friends he had there. Tony will be remembered as being active, fun loving, and always having his 4-legged companion, Bella, at his side at the beach.
Brothers at beach
Tony and I are only 17 months apart in age and so we were very close growing up. Believe it or not Tony was very shy as a young boy. If he had issues at school the nuns would come and get me because Tony would not talk to anyone he did not know well. Especially not someone in authority. His shyness ended when he became an outstanding athlete playing CYO football for St Aloysius grade school. He was born with natural speed, all the coach had to do was give him the ball and if he found daylight he was gone.
As young boys we used to race to the store, he always beat me by an arm’s length, that never changed. Upon going to St Joseph High school, he continued his dominance on the football field. This success changed him forever as a boy and a man. He was so good in high school they moved up to varsity as a sophomore and we played 4 games together. I told him varsity play was different, these guys are faster and bigger, do not expect to run away from everyone. First game he took a kickoff at the 20-yard line and ran 80 yards for a touchdown. When we met in the end zone he said to me “I thought you said this would be different”
He continued his success and recognition playing football by being elected to the Teen Magazine Ohio State Dream Team, which was comprised the best football athletes in Ohio by position. He was honored at a dinner with the other Dream Team members who were all greeted by the very best, Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns.
Tony served in the military and then went on to take over our dads Asphalt Paving Company, Euclid Asphalt. He ran the company for many years after dad passed. His goal always was to retire to Florida which he did about 15 years ago. He settled in at Flagler Beach and with lab (Bella) he loved life all over again. There in Flagler Beach he started a Handyman business to keep busy. He was always very active. He would walk the beach, watch the sun set and listen to the waves slapping the sandy beaches. He truly now was in his heaven. He made many friends, some of them called Tony family, and he was where he wanted to be doing what he wanted to do. But after it all I still lost my little brother.
Brothers
"#77 in your program... #1 in our hearts" St. Joe's vs Euclid Hero 1958
Love you,
Bruno and Cathy Kelly.