Obituary of Anthony "Tony" Galasso

The family of Tony Galasso is saddened to announce the passing of their dear father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Born August 16, 1921 in Weisport, Pennsylvania. Dad passed away in Daysland, Alberta on May 11, 2014 at age 92 after a long, healthy, and active life. Dad is survived by his sister, Anna Camaioni, and sister-in-law Janet Galasso of Lehighton, Pennsylvania as well as numerous nieces and nephews in the U.S.. He is also survived by his seven children: Mary Phillips of Abbotsford, Toni Nielson (John) of Bawlf, Rosanne Spelrem (Barrie) of Beaumont, Richard Galasso of Vancouver, James Galasso (Bonnie) of Red Deer, Robert Galasso of Vancouver, Patrick Galasso of Vancouver; and nine grandchildren: Andrea, Steven, Carmen, Kristan, Neil, Wade, Nicole, Christopher and Brittney and six great grandchildren: Talus, River, Eric, Adam Colin and Nico. Predeceased by parents Cosimo and Rosario, infant son, Jean, three brothers, Armando and Joseph of Lehighton, Pennsylvania; Michael of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina; brother-in-law Peter Camaioni, sister-in-law Alice Galasso, and niece Laura Lynch all in the U.S. Dad served in the U.S. Army Air Force in WW II and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska and then in Grande Prairie, Alberta where he met and married Agnes Lozeron. Mom and dad raised their seven children in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Dad moved to Camrose upon his retirement at age 65 to live near his daughter, Toni Nielson, who was his devoted caregiver when his health deteriorated in the last few years. Toni and John's farm was dad's favourite and frequent stop on the way to and from the Daysland Golf Course. Dad played his first game of golf at age 67 and played a competitive game until the age of 91 when back problems forced him to give up the game he dreamed about in the off season and played almost every "good-weather" day once the season opened. Dad's Monte Carlo parked at the Daysland Golf Course was a familiar sight. His happiest hours were spent golfing with his friends and then taking a short break in the clubhouse so he could get back on the greens until dark. He holds the record at the Daysland Golf Course for most holes played in one day: 90. He was in his 70's! The Daysland Course surprised him with a lifetime membership at 90. Dad once quipped, " If I had started golfing at 20, they would be saying, "Tiger Who?" When not playing golf, dad spent hours following the New York Yankees baseball team. He was an unwavering fan from the time he saw them play in Yankee Stadium as a youth. He loved watching old Westerns; reading about the gunslingers of the Wild West; watching documentaries on World War II fighter aircraft, and listening to the music of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Tony's family would like to thank the exceptional staff at Daysland Hospital for excellent medical care and for treating him with dignity and kindness throughout his hospitalization. We would also like to thank the dedicated staff at Providence Place in Daysland for the comfortable and caring surroundings where dad spent his last year. A private celebration of dad's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in dad's name to the Daysland Hospital would be appreciated. If you choose, on a sunny day, play a round of golf at the Daysland Course, and on Hole #4, dad's favourite, think of him!