"Anthony...........With your cheerful disposition, you inspired those around you to seek happiness and to appreciate all that life had to offer. You showed love and respect for your mother and father and were a constant companion to each of them when they needed you the most. As a brother, uncle and a friend, you showed love, kindness, humor and generosity. One of God's greatest gifts to you was patience.  You took what challenges life had given you and gracefully showed all of us the true meaning of patience.  You made friends along every path in your life. Your goodness and your beaming smile will never be forgotten by anyone who met you. You always cheered for the underdog. You were always looking forward to whatever was next. You did indeed 'live long and prosper'.  You enjoyed a full life:  Quiet, peaceful moments spent enjoying the outdoors, riding you bike, swimming, fishing in the ocean, caring for your pets, helping out at the family store, setting up your race tracks and model railroad, assembling and painting models of your favorite space ships and cars, playing your guitar, singing and writing music, visiting loved ones after they were gone - bringing them flowers and saying a prayer, leaving a note in the prayer book at the chapel, looking up on a clear summer night and gazing at the stars, traveling to beautiful and exciting places, enjoying dazzling fireworks, fast cars, playing cards and the slot machines, concerts, music, movies & TV, singing 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' at the 7th inning stretch, cheering for the Cubs & Bears and much, much more.  By those who knew you best, you will always be remembered not just as Anthony, but as Elvis. You will never be forgotten, friend.  You will be with us always in our hearts.  For most of us, not a day will go by without thinking of you.  We are going to have to learn to live without you and that is going to be a very difficult road to travel.  Thankfully, you have left so many wonderful memories for us. It is recalling these memories that will strengthen us when the sadness of missing you overwhelms us. Thank you Anthony.  Thank you for sharing your life with us.  Thank you for your kindness and for being our friend.  Thank you for sharing your smile.  Thank you for making us laugh.  Thank you for understanding us in your own special way that no one else could do. Thank you for teaching us how to communicate with more than just words.  Thank you for reminding us to 'take it easy' when things were not going well.  We prayed to God to watch over you, always.  We prayed for you to St. Anthony, St. Jude, St. Francis and many others.  We prayed to your guardian angel to be your light, to stay beside you and protect you and that he or she would be with you until the time had come for you to leave us. We prayed to the Blessed Mother that she would be with you and that you would not be alone.  And we prayed that Jesus Himself would come for you and that you would not be afraid. And now, for you, there is no more sickness, no more suffering, no more pain." ©