Mr. Anthony Bernard “Tony” Christiani, age 84, of Florence, Indiana, entered this life on August 16, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the son of the late, Bernard Bruno and Johanna (Bartosek) Christiani. He was raised in Detroit, Michigan where he was a 1955 graduate of the Wilbur Wright High School. Tony studied engineering at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He was inducted into the Army National Guard on February 14, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan. He rose to the rate of Sergeant and specialized as an infantry communication specialist. He received the Marksman Badge with Carbine Cal. 30, Rifle Cal. .30 Ml Clasp and the Sharpshooter Badge with Pistol Cal. 45 Clasp. Tony was honorably discharged on February 13, 1959 in Detroit, Michigan. Tony reenlisted on February 14, 1959 in Detroit, Michigan and specialized as the radio team chief. He received the Expert Badge with Carbine Clasp, Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Clasp and the Broadsword Service Medal. Tony was honorably discharged on January 31, 1964 after eight years of service. Tony was united in marriage on February 8, 1958 in Allen Park, Michigan to Mary Louise Gierada. This happy union was blessed with five children. Tony and Mary shared 62 years of marriage together until she passed away on March 16, 2020. Tony was an electrician for several years in Tampa, Florida and Detroit, Michigan. He also owned and operated Jackson Bicycle Store in Tampa, Florida for six years. Tony and Mary resided in Tampa, Florida for 30 years until moving to the Florence, Indiana community in 2003-2004. Tony was a faithful member of the Knights of Columbus and was an honorable 4th degree member. He was also a faithful member of the Most Sorrowful Mother of God Catholic Church in Vevay, Indiana and was a former member of The Wheelmen Club. Tony enjoyed woodworking, fishing, electrical work, playing cards, sailing and boating, as well as, gardening and needlepoint. Tony passed away on Friday, August 27, 2021, at the King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison, Indiana.
Tony will be missed by his children, Phillip Christiani and his wife, Tara of Tampa, FL, Felicia Lynam and her husband, David of Vevay, IN, Jennifer Dadabbo and her husband, Dominic of Waxhaw, NC, David Christiani and his wife, Pamela of Spring Hills, FL and Matthew Christiani and his wife, Wendy of Cedar, MI; his grandchildren, Nick Christiani, Jason Humbert, Stephanie Patten, Kevin Christiani, Tim Christiani, Lindsay Duncan and Craig Dadabbo; his great-grandchildren, Davin, Brody, Harper, Madison, Elizabeth, Margot and Parker; his brother, Paul Christiani and his wife, Sandy of Port St. Lucie, FL; his nieces and nephews, Kenny, Michael, Paul, James, David, Marcy and Paul and his brother-in-law, Ted Felegy.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bernard Bruno Christiani; his mother, Johanna (Bartoszek) Christiani and his wife, Mary Louise (Gierada) Christiani.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 2, 2021, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
The Rosary will be prayed on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
The Funeral Mass for Tony and Mary Christiani will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 3, 2021, at the Most Sorrowful Mother of God Catholic Church in Vevay, Indiana 47043.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, September 11, 2021 in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 17100 Van Dyke Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48234 with full military rites.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Most Sorrowful Mother of God Catholic Church. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com